Suffolk police officers surprise 11-year-old brain cancer survivor with her dream of being a baker
Dilara Coker was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2024. She's gone through chemotherapy and radiation, with her last chemotherapy session in October 2024. She always dreamed of being an artist and opening a bakery.
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An 11-year-old Bellport brain cancer survivor got a sweet surprise on Wednesday from Suffolk police officers.
Dilara Coker was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2024. She's gone through chemotherapy and radiation, with her last chemotherapy session in October 2024.
She always dreamed of being an artist and opening a bakery.
"Being a baker includes some art," says Coker. "After treatment, I would just start making cupcakes and then I would decorate them."
That dream became a reality after she met Suffolk police officers Vincent Maio and Michael Coyne at a community event.
"She took the hoodie off and she showed me that she was going to do treatment for cancer," says Maio. "For a child just coming up that showed me a lot of bravery and a lot of heart. So, I said, I want to try to help this child out any way I can."
On Wednesday, officers surprised Coker at La Roma Pastry Shop in Oakdale with a day of baking.
"Baking really makes me feel relaxed and happy and just gets my energy out," says Coker. "It was really exciting."
Coker was told she was going to lunch with her family. She was very surprised to see people waiting for her to decorate cookies and cupcakes.
Coker has a message to the officers who helped her make her dream a reality.
"I want to say thank you to the officer that are behind this," she says.
