If Dapkey stays in remission, Round 3, the maintenance phase, is slated to begin early next year. The phase's purpose is to kill any remaining leukemia cells that might regrow and cause a relapse. That might last two to three years.
Dapkey, back at school full time and often a spectator at football practice, has been overwhelmed by the support he has received.
There was the Middletown Community Foundation fundraiser in Levittown, the car wash in Clifton Heights, a $500 donation from Pennsbury High's booster club, and the Kansas City Chiefs garb and memorabilia sent by former Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil.
Some of the non-family mainstays are Borrelli, Schmidt, Oropeza, the people at CHOP Neshaminy faculty and assistant coaches Dave Ferrara and Neil French, and former coaches such as Jim Burner (Valley Forge Military Academy, Bonner) and Eric Long (St. Cyril).
Lou Lapalombara, a close family friend, arranged a visit to Eagles training camp, where Dapkey caught up with Lawrence, an undrafted rookie who fell short of making the team's 53-man roster.
"It's been phenomenal," Rita Dapkey, a graphic arts designer, said. "We are so lucky to have so many people helping us fight this disease. I don't know where we'd be without all of them."
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
