Suffolk police help 11-year-old brain cancer survivor become a baker for the day

SUFFOLK COUNTY (WABC) -- Suffolk County Police helped make one young cancer survivor's dream come true.

11-year-old Dilara Coker, who bravely battled brain cancer, got the chance to step into the kitchen at a local bakery and learn from the pros.

"I used to make them from scratch when I was sick, that used to be my favorite thing to do," Coker said.

Baking offered Coker a creative escape when she was battling brain cancer.

The 11-year-old was diagnosed in 2024. After 17 rounds of cranial radiation and 13 rounds of spinal radiation, she is now in remission.

"I was thinking to myself, wow this kid is so brave," Officer Vincent Maio said.

Officer Maio met Coker at a community event and was inspired by her courage. He made it his mission to make one of her dreams a reality.

Coker walked into a sweet surprise organized by Suffolk Police where she got to be a baker for the day at La Roma Pastry Shop.

After experiencing what it was like to work at her dream job, Coker then got a day of pampering.

Next door, the Bellissima Hair Salon gave Coker an afternoon of beauty treatments.

"She dealt with a lot and deserves something so wonderful," Coker's mother Katelyn, said.

"I got choked up I'm not going to lie, but I'm so happy she is doing so well," Officer Maio said.

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.