Dan “Danny” DiNatale

The Danny Fund was established in honor of Dan “Danny” DiNatale who succumbed to Ewing’s sarcoma on October 5, 2016 after a heroic battle waged by him and his dedicated UF Health team for over 4 years. While Dan knew that the odds of beating this aggressive form of cancer were stacked against him, he never quit fighting and always looked forward.

Dan was blessed with unusual artistic talent, His first art show was mounted when he was 8 years old. Art was the bedrock of his aspiration to become a graphic designer. In furtherance of his chosen career, he attended Savannah College of Art and Design; sadly, his illness prevented him from fulfilling his dream. However, while he attended SCAD he grew to appreciate his new hometown of Savannah and the charming hospitality of its citizens.

Dan was a caring fellow who greatly valued his friends and whose friends reciprocated especially towards the end of his life. He had a keen and irreverent sense of humor that did not abandon him even as he faced the realities of his disease. He always appreciated the gift of blood and platelets he received.

In addition to his loving relationships with family and friends, Dan was passionate about cars (the faster the better), food and cooking. While Dan’s dreams were cut short by Ewing’s sarcoma, it is the purpose of the Danny Fund to provide financial support for further research of this disease to enable other young people to realize their dreams.

Dan’s parents, Chuck and Sue, will be hosting the 3^rd annual Danny’s Dream event on May 15, 2021 to raise funds for Ewing’s Sarcoma Research at the UF Health Cancer Center.

The event has raised over $245,000 since its inception, and we’re welcoming sponsors for 2020.

To purchase tickets to the Danny’s Dream event, please visit cancer.ufl.edu/dannys-dream. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Patrick Henry at 352-273-5883 or henryp@shands.ufl.edu.