Personal Journeys: Summer's gift

News

Personal Journeys: Summer's gift

While fighting her own bout with cancer, an Atlanta teen gives others comfort as they battle against the disease.

Summer Dale, then 15, had a photo shoot with Brenda Richterkessing, who wanted to help Summer see that she was still beautiful without hair. Summer spent her last year not just fighting cancer, but setting up a foundation to help other young cancer patients.

Dr. Dennis Hughes, an oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, comforts Summer after he informed her that she has to have lung surgery.

Summer's stepbrother, Jared Gentry, shaves her head while neighbor Steve Creel shaves Summer's twin brother, Jordan. It was a turning point in Summer's challenge.

Members of the Forsyth County High School Class of ’79 show support by displaying their Team Summer bracelets.

Summer and her brother, Jordan, joined their father, Al Dale, and stepmother, Cynthia Gentry, on a trip to Paris in June 2011.

Rock star Steven Tyler mugs with Summer backstage at an "American Idol" broadcast.

Summer, joined here by her mother, Lynne Dale, rings a bell at MD Anderson Cancer Center to signify the end of her radiation treatment in March.

Summer with Julia Cobb, a 7-year-old Team Summer gift recipient. Julia received an iPod Touch.

Summer gives Kourtney Smith, 5, $300 worth of gas cards so his grandmother can drive him to chemo instead of taking the medicare bus, which takes about seven hours. Kourtney also received a portable DVD player to take to the hospital with him and some of his favorite movies.

Summer with Team Summer gift recipient Lacey Johnson. Lacey, 20, received a fashion photo shoot.

Summer with Sarah Borders, an 11-year-old cancer patient and Team Summer gift recipient. Summer gave Sarah an iPod Touch to give her something to do during her two-hour commute to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for chemotherapy.

Cristina, an 8-year-old leukemia patient, received an iPad from Team Summer.

Summer with Josiah Darden on the night they ordered Team Josiah bracelets. Team Josiah was the first Team Summer partner team.

Summer with Robbie Berry, a 13-year-old osteosarcoma patient who lost his left leg to cancer. He received Mega Bloks from Team Summer.

Enrique Aldana, 10, also received a gift from Team Summer.

Summer, who succumbed to cancer at her home Nov. 11.

1/16

Summer Dale, then 15, had a photo shoot with Brenda Richterkessing, who wanted to help Summer see that she was still beautiful without hair. Summer spent her last year not just fighting cancer, but setting up a foundation to help other young cancer patients.

Today's Gallery Headlines

cedar grove, cairo

Photos: Cedar Grove defeats Cairo in first round of state tournament

Salem Campground Covington

PHOTOS: See the 'Places in Peril' across Georgia for 2026

Autotrader 400

PHOTOS: Tyler Reddick wins again at Autotrader 400

Allyson Phillips (center), Laken Riley’s mother, prays at UGA’s Tate Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, during a memorial service for her daughter. Riley was attacked on Feb. 22, 2024 while running in Oconee Forest Park on the UGA campus and killed. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

More Galleries

Ice storm warning

PHOTOS: Scenes from icy winter storm in Metro Atlanta

As storm inches closer to Georgia, metro Atlanta braces for ice threat

PHOTOS: Georgia readies for incoming ice storm

01202026 day of protests

PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta ICE protest join national effort

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year