A Letter from Michele Ashby, Founder
and President of Dani's Foundation

I am very upset - Why?  Because children are still dying from the type of cancer that took my daughter’s life ten years ago. The outcomes for young people today, diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma and the other forms of pediatric sarcomas, are the same as they were 10 years ago.  I believe strongly that there is much more that can be done and I know, in my heart, that we can have a tremendous impact in the  coming year if we can all join together and make a commitment toward defeating these deadly childhood opponents! 

As each of us prepare to embark on the Season of Giving, I am making an impassioned plea to you with the goal of garnering a year end tax-deductible gift to Dani’s Foundation so that we may continue our effort in the Campaign to End Ewing’s and the other forms of Pediatric Sarcoma.  If every person who is reading this newsletter would make a $25  donation to our Foundation by the end of the year, we could offer greater support to the Ewing’s community.  Might you consider forgoing the purchase of just one holiday gift this year and send that money that you would spend on that gift to Dani’s Foundation?  I am quite certain that your family member, friend or business associate will be deeply touched by this gesture, knowing that you are honoring them with this very important gift that will serve to help so many.  One can only imagine what these holiday donations can mean to our Foundation and to those that we seek to serve.   

· A donation of $25 will help us in underwriting the continuation of our website www.danisfoundation.org. This is the most important resource that we can offer to the Ewing’s and Pediatric Sarcoma community.  Your gift will keep this website operational and help us in updating vital information and resources for patients, family members, caregivers and medical professionals. 

· A donation of $50 will assist us in underwriting the supplies necessary to launch our Pediatric Sarcoma Community Education Program in 2010.  As you will see from the story on page 3, this program is needed to insure that Dani’s Foundation takes the lead in educating the Colorado community on the symptoms of pediatric sarcoma with the goal of seeking earlier detection and ultimate survival. 

· A donation of $100 and above can help us to continue our efforts to fund cutting-edge research that is desperately needed by today’s scientific investigators.  In today’s economic crisis, funding for research has been cut and the research for pediatric cancer will suffer the most with these cuts.  Present financial cuts could result in putting 20 new pediatric cancer studies on hold.  In  addition, 400 children will not have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials next year.  This is unacceptable.  We cannot leave better treatment options further from reach.  We need to act NOW and insure that research continues.  Our children are counting on our support! 

I established Dani’s Foundation in memory of my daughter, Daniele Stell, who last her battle to Ewing’s Sarcoma ten years ago.  Many of you know the story of Dani and her valiant battle against this dreadful disease.  It was awful for Dani and for those of us who loved and cared for her.  Dani’s story mimics so many other stories and that is why this Foundation is dedicated to each and every patient, family member, caregiver and medical professional who are waging the battle against Ewing’s Sarcoma and those other pediatric sarcomas that are still affecting and taking the lives of children and young adults.  The madness needs to stop and we need you help if we are to make a difference in the days ahead!  Your support is the key to our ultimate success!

I realize that this has been a tough year for all of us in regard to the global financial crisis, but try to imagine what this year has been like for those patients and their families who have been diagnosed a major illness and for those scientific investigators who are seeking funding in order to continue their work in finding the causes and cures for major diseases.  These are the individuals that need us now, more than ever before, and I am asking for your support if we are to continue our efforts to beat Ewing’s and the other forms of pediatric sarcoma.  Whatever you can do, we will gladly accept your support with the goal of expanding the scope and service that we seek to provide. 

In advance, I thank you for your continued support of Dani’s Foundation and honoring my passion to assist the Ewing’s and pediatric sarcoma community.  Your friendship and love has enabled Dani’s Foundation to thrive and we will look forward to keeping you actively involved in our quest to End Pediatric Sarcoma.  My best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with health and happiness.

Michele Ashby

CLICK HERE to make a Donation of $25  for continuation of our Website.

CLICK HERE to make Donation of $50 to launch Pediatric Sarcoma Community Education Program.

CLICK HERE to make a Donation of $100 for Cutting Edge Research.

CLICK HERE to make any Donation Amount for our Greatest Needs.


To send a donation directly to the Foundation, please mail by December 31st to:

Dani's Foundation
1600 Broadway, Suite 2400
Denver, CO 80202

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!