Dan stood tall as a pillar of strength in our community. An Army veteran, fireman, and township supervisor. Our small town hero. His dedication to helping others and working to make our community a better place was unparalleled. He was a genuine, down to earth, trustworthy man who treated everyone with kindness and respect. When not serving others; Dan could be found outdoors hunting, fishing, and singing karaoke. He couldn’t walk into a room without you knowing it. His smile, laugh, positive outlook, and big energy were contagious. His legacy will be carried on through his son, Colton, who was just 6 weeks old when Dan passed away.

Our world was flipped upside down on May 1, 2023 when Dan received the diagnosis of DIPG. His first symptom of intermittent double vision began in October 2022 while archery hunting in his tree stand. This began his 26 month battle with terminal brain cancer. As his wife, I will never forget the feelings of shock, disbelief, and realization that the future we were building together had come to a sudden halt. That the healthy, strong man standing before me was just dealt the cruelest, most unfair deck of cards imaginable. The man who had spent his entire life helping others in need.

Dan handled his illness with unwavering grace, strength, and determination. He rarely complained and spoke often about how much his heart ached for all the children who were also suffering with DIPG.

Dan went to be with the Lord at the age of 35. He is no longer able to keep fighting so I will continue the fight for him. As his wife, I know what it feels like to spend countless hours… days… weeks… desperately searching for something, anything, to extend his life long enough for the next clinical trial or treatment option to become available. I prayed each and every day for more time.

Through my chapter with The Cure Starts Now, I hope to be able to silently offer hope to those still in the fight. Those who are still desperately hoping and praying for more time. All while teaching our son how to turn pain into purpose through helping others.

The Cure Starts Now (501c3 Federal Non-Profit) is one of the only cancer foundations dedicated to a “homerun” cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult cancers: pediatric brain cancer. Many experts believe that the lessons we learn from fighting pediatric cancer may in fact provide us the critical first step in winning the battle against all forms of cancer, both pediatric and adult.