MINEOLA, N.Y. – They say there's not a relationship so deep as the one forged between twin sisters.
That's the case and more for a twin who helped her sister expand her family after cancer made it impossible for her to have another child.
Six years ago, Allison Ardolino-Dinkelacker was 30 weeks pregnant with her first child when she was diagnosed with stage-3 breast cancer. Due to the need to begin immediate chemotherapy, Ardolino-Dinkelacker delivered her son 10 weeks early.
Although now cancer-free, the disease had made her unable to have any more children.
That's when Allison's identical twin Dawn stepped in.
"Dawn accompanied me to one of my doctors appointments," explained Allison in a Facebook post. "And as we sat in my oncologists office and he said to me if you survive this, you will never be able to carry another child. Well before he even finished his sentence Dawn jumped in and said it doesn't matter because I am going to carry their child.
Late last year, Dawn served as a surrogate for Allison and her husband and on August 5 she gave birth to Hudson William Dinkelacker who is a happy and healthy baby boy.
Said Allison of her sister, "You are my hero and I have never been more proud of you. You deserve a medal of courage, of compassion, and of selflessness."
A medal for Aunt of the Year as well.