PAST HONOREES
Through the years, we have been able to honor many "Dancers of the Year" through our fundraising efforts. Teachers & Tutus works to encourage and support these honorees and their families during and after their fight with cancer.
2023 - Nylah
Nylah was diagnosed with acute leukemia on February 1, 2023. She quickly started chemo which she struggled with as she didn't feel well or like her normal self. Additionally, she lost significant strength in her legs causing her to lose most of her ability to walk. After steroid treatments, she regained her strength but then faced losing her hair. Unfortunately, Nylah still wasn't in remission, so she endured two rounds of 28-day infusions consisting of medicine being constantly delivered through her port.
On August 24, 2023, Nylah and her family got the news that she was in remission! After that, she began chemo to keep the cancer cells away which included several in-patient hospital stays.
AUGUST 2024 UPDATE:
Nylah is doing really well! She is now in the maintenance phase of treatment. She goes once a month for count checking and a monthly antibiotic. Every 3 months she gets a spinal tap with chemo, and a short chemo infusion through her port. She also takes chemo pills at home every day!
Her hair is growing so fast, and so thick! There are some times where she doesn’t feel good, and we might have to stay at Blanks, but those days have lessened so much. With entering this phase of treatment, she is feeling so much better, and has a ton of energy! She has also started preschool, and is loving it!
2022 - Ophie
Ophie (short for Ophelia) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in January 2022 at just 4 years old. Ophie went to her pediatrician on the morning of January 14th because her parents, Bobbi and Curtis, suspected that she had strep throat. Her pediatrician was concerned about some bruising that she had on her face and stomach. Blood work was done and her family received the phone call about an hour later that it was leukemia. Their world was shattered in an instant.
Ophie was admitted to Blank Children’s Hospital that evening and her treatment started right away. Her older brothers (she has 3) have become even more protective of their baby sister. Standard treatment for leukemia is around two years. Ophelia’s end of treatment date is March 23, 2024. She has endured 5 cycles of chemotherapy, 2 bone marrow biopsies, 13 spinal taps and numerous blood product transfusions.
Although there have been a few bumps in the road, Ophelia has tolerated her treatment very well. She is so strong and determined to “get rid of cancer.” She loves dancing, singing and everything that sparkles. She has such a sweet spirit. Ophie dislikes being called brave because when she was first diagnosed everyone kept telling her how brave she was. Her mom, Bobbi, thinks it triggers bad memories of all she went through at the beginning. Instead of brave, her family uses the words “strong” or “tough.”
2021 - Avril
Avril was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) when she was 3 years old. Avril endured an incredibly challenging regimen of treatment including spinal taps, IVIG infusions, platelet transfusion, bone marrow tests, IV chemo, blood transfusions, countless hospital stays and so much more.
In addition to these procedures, she took dozens of chemotherapy pills and other medications, including steroids and antibiotics. Avril experienced significant side effects, including hair loss, pneumonia three times, COIF, shingles, and various infections.
In October 2019, Avril marked a significant milestone by ringing the bell to signify the end of her treatment. However, in July 2021, Avril's leukemia relapsed with full force. Avril underwent a four-week continuous immunotherapy drip, which she continued at home, with regular clinic visits twice a week for chemotherapy bag changes. She then went to Omaha in December of 2021 for a 100-day bone marrow transplant.
AUGUST 2024 UPDATE:
Avril is doing well. She is one year post treatment. She finished treatment July of 2023 and has been working through a few issues since. Ever since the first time Avril was diagnosed she has had a number of sinus and ear issues. She has had multiple sinus surgeries and has had ear tubes 4 times.
In January of this year, she had her 4th set of ear tubes placed along with a sinus surgery and her tonsils out. They were hopeful this would help her chronic sinus infections and her partial hearing loss she had started to experience at the end of her treatment. So far her hearing is better, not 100%, but it is good enough for her to avoid hearing aids at this time. She is now at every 2 months for her blood tests and things are going well for her.
2019 - Aila
Aila Nesbitt was selected as the 2019 Dance of the Year for Teachers and Tutus, as she was battling High-Risk B-Cell ALL Leukemia at the age of 4. Aila (now 9 years old) has always had a zest for life and always leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes. Ms Kelly graciously offered Aila the opportunity to join the Iowa Cats Dance Company that same fall where she got to know many of the dancers.
As Aila continued to get better and eventually finished treatment in 2020, she was able to join the Iowa CATS Dance Company competition team and has loved every minute of being part of the close-knit group of dancers ever since! Aila continues to show the world that faith is bigger than fear and goes into Blank Children's hospital every 4 months for blood checks and continues to be in remission and cancer-free!
We are blessed beyond words with how well she is doing. Looking from the outside, one would never know all she endured and went through, including losing the ability to walk from her intense chemotherapy, several rounds of leg casts and leg braces, as well as years of physical therapy. We love watching her do what she loves best and couldn't have asked for a better group of dancers and teachers to support her continued journey! Thank you Iowa Cats!
– Amy and Nick Nesbitt, Aila's parents