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Darian’s Gift helps families facing pediatric cancer

Kira and mother Sara Bailey talk about their experiences with Darian’s Gift (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

Darian’s Gift provides financial assistance, physical acts of service, and emotional support to families experiencing pediatric cancer. Often, families need essential items like money for gas. Many have to forego special treats, like a meal out, to save funds for expensive treatments. Darian’s Gift offers resources to these families.

On July 30, the Salem charity held its 11th Annual Play “Fore” Day Golf Tournament & Auction to raise funds to help more families. President Gregg King said the group had to postpone the event last year, but returned to Illahe Country Club this year. 

After a day on the links, the group gathered in the banquet room for golf awards, an auction, and to hear stories of hope and healing. They celebrated the lives of the four children that lost their battle with cancer this year. Former Darian’s Gift recipient Kira and her mother, Sara Bailey, shared how the nonprofit helped them when friends didn’t really know how. Sara said she just needed someone to take care of her dog while they were gone for long cancer treatments. Darian’s Gift provided this type of help and more. Kira created a picture for auction that represented her appreciation for sunrises and sunsets. 

The lively event auctioned off trips, wine, and even a purple guitar signed by Prince. First place golf tournament winners were Mike Puentes, Lee Litvin, Rick Caudillo, and Rudy Chavez.

Jeannette and Brad Moore and grandson Holden Blackman (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

Guests attend the post-golf tournament dinner and auction (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

Gregg King, President of Darian’s Gift, speaks at Darian’s Gift Golf Tournament (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

Jan and Gabe Johnsen and Chad and Jennifer Montgomery (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

Aaron Baker, Dan Leach, Dave Vogt, and Jeff Glodt (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

Guests attend the post-golf tournament dinner and auction (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

About Darian’s Gift:  After losing their son Darian to bone cancer, Craig and Abby King started the nonprofit 4Him2Day– Children’s Cancer Resource Foundation.  The organization was founded in January 2010 to support local families in treatment for pediatric cancer. In 2016, they changed their name to Darian’s Gift.  Their website provides information for families when they are first diagnosed with pediatric cancer and helpful resources as they go through their journey. Since 2010 Darian’s Gift has provided support to over 150 local families with children treating for childhood cancer.  In 2017 Darian’s Gift began receiving direct referrals from Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional, writing regularly about events for Salem Reporter. 

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