Dalton Minnick was diagnosed with ALD at the age of ten after starting to have some difficulty in school and with hearing problems. Dalton went immediately to the University of Minnesota, where he received an umbilical cord blood transplant on August 29, 2016. Dalton did exceptionally well during the transplant but tragically developed acute graft vs host disease of the intestines. Dalton fought valiantly but succumbed to his condition on December 13, 2016.

Dalton is remembered by all who knew and loved him as an intelligent, funny, and kind-hearted boy. His mother, Jennifer, has walked this path with grace and dignity, raising awareness, writing a book on Dalton’s journey, and relentlessly advocating for newborn screening to ensure it became a reality in Indiana.  Jennifer is also a dedicated supporter of the Ronald McDonald House in Minnesota, administrates a support group for ALD on Facebook (Support for Adrenoleukodystrophy), and generously and selflessly supports other families facing rare disease diagnoses.

Dalton will never be forgotten for his courage, kindness, and determination.