The Raskin family has made their home in Parkland, where Dara and her husband Michael are raising their daughter Dylan, age eight. Dara is a stay-at-home mom who devotes much of her time to school and community activities, while Michael works in advertising. Together, they have created a family life filled with joy, resilience, and plenty of time spent supporting Dylan’s passions.
Dylan is a third grader at Heron Heights Elementary, where she enjoys reading and, like many children her age, looks forward to recess. Her greatest passion, however, is dance. She trains at Dance Theatre, where she is a member of the performance company. The family spends a lot of time at the studio, and Dara says Dylan’s love for dance shines through every time she takes the stage.
Community involvement plays a central role in the Raskins’ life. Dara is a member of the PTO at Heron Heights and also serves as room parent for Dylan’s class. She enjoys bringing creativity into her contributions, whether through crafting, party planning, or using her Cricut machine for personalized projects. She is also an active participant in Not My Daughter-Find a Cure Now, currently helping with the organization’s annual October luncheon.
When the family isn’t busy with school or dance, they love spending time together. Disney World trips are a favorite, along with exploring new restaurants, enjoying the Florida sunshine while swimming, and supporting Dylan at her performances. Living in Parkland is something Dara deeply values, especially the sense of community and the daily routine of walking to and from school while greeting familiar, friendly faces.
A defining chapter in Dara’s life has been her journey as a breast cancer survivor. She never expected cancer to touch her personally, but she later discovered she carries the BRCA 1 gene. She speaks openly about the importance of early detection, advocating for yourself, and understanding family history. She describes treatment and surgeries as some of the hardest times she has ever faced, but through them she discovered strength, gratitude, and lasting connections with other survivors. Dara now focuses on giving back, raising awareness, and offering support to others who may be on a similar path.
For the Raskins, kindness is a guiding principle. As Dara shares, “Always be kind—you never know what people are going through.” It’s a message the family embodies through their community involvement, support for one another, and the way they approach life in Parkland.
