April 2025 Update
Since starting D-Feet Cancer over three years ago, Jen and I have learned a lot. With help from our dedicated Board and other volunteers, we’ve run golf tournaments, 5K, dodgeball tournaments, a gala, and even jumped out of a perfectly good plane – twice. As D-Feet Cancer approaches half a million dollars of research funded, we want to continue to learn and improve. One of the areas we would like to improve upon is our communication with our supporters. Our “quarterly” email hasn’t exactly been published quarterly consistently. So, I’ve committed to updating the blog post here on DFeetCancer.org monthly. I’ll use the blog post to comment on events, funding opportunities, upcoming fundraisers, and the general state of D-Feet Cancer. Since Dalton’s favorite number is eight, I’ll update the blog on or around the 8th of each month. In true Will style, I’m already a day late but I’ll try to do better in the month’s to come.
Gala:
2025 began with a bang as we held the first ever D-Feet Cancer gala at the Granby Theater in Norfolk, VA. As the doors opened at 6, Jen nudged me and said “I can’t believe we are holding a gala.” To say the night was fantastic is an understatement. Around 200 supporters joined us and raised over $70,000 that will directly fund pediatric cancer research. The gala was the most profitable D-Feet Cancer event to date. Jen and I were both excited and amazed at the generosity of our guests. As a bonus, we both took time to enjoy the evening and all the great people united behind a worthy cause. On the heels of such a fabulous evening, there will be a D-Feet Cancer gala in early 2026. When we finalize the date and location, I’ll add it to the calendar here on DFeetCancer.org, publicize it on social media, and of course blog about it in subsequent posts.
Dodgeball & Splash:
Cape Henry Collegiate was kind enough to host our fourth annual dodgeball tournament in March. We had around twenty teams competing and helping us celebrate Dalton’s 16th birthday. The original dodgeball tournament was held on February 20th, a day after Dalton’s actual birthday, but the event is now held in March due to venue availability. A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped keep the tournament running smoothly and to all the teams who helped us raise money for our Tenacious Tribe program. Tenacious Tribe aims to help cancer kid siblings feel appreciated and loved while their brother or sister goes through treatment. March was also D-Feet Cancer month at our local carwash, Splash2o. By entering code “8888” and selecting the “Protect Wash” as Splash, our supporters and community helped raise over $1,800 for pediatric cancer research. A huge shout out to Splash2o for their continued support of D-Feet Cancer and many other worthy causes in the Virginia Beach area. If your car is yellow from all the pollen, please go visit our friends at Splash2o.
Dalton’s Dash:
Our next big event is the 4th Annual Dalton’s Dash 5K. Come join us, either in person or virtually, for a fun neighborhood walk/run. We will have The Bagel Baker food truck, DJ Steve, a raffle table, and D-Feet Merchandise, and other fun activities. You can read more about Dalton, the race, and register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/VirginiaBeach/DaltonsDash5k Prices rise on May 1st, so we encourage you to register register before the end of April.
Wasserhund:
Soon after Dalton’s Dash, we’ll have a fundraiser at Wasserhund Brewing Company on Laskin Rd. in Virginia Beach. Join us for 5-10 PM on Tuesday May 27th. Dalton was a huge fan of Marvel movies so we are planning a Marvel trivia contest that night in D’s honor. Personally, anytime I can drink a cold adult beverage while raising money for a great cause, I’m all in.
Skydiving & Golf:
More details to follow but we will be holding our third annual D-Feet Cancer skydiving event on Sunday August 3rd at Skydive Suffolk. Our goal this year is to register 60 jumpers and close down Skydive Suffolk for the day, I’ll be emailing previous jumpers soon and posting registration information to the “Events” tab here at DFeetCancer.org in the next couple of weeks. Also, our fourth annual golf tournament will be held at Red Wing Lake Golf Course on Friday October 10th this year featuring the return of the Freedom Outdoors golf ball launcher gun. Registration details for the golf tournament will also be added to the Events tab soon.
In Closing:
Thanks for reading and for all of your support. in the next blog post, I’ll be able to announce details of another $150,000 of pediatric cancer research funded by D-Feet Cancer thank to all of you. It’s a bit nerve wracking, but quite an honor, to write such large checks. Jen and I make sure we add eight cents onto the end of any donation in honor of our boy and all the kids like him who have fought, are fighting, or who will fight this horrible disease. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all your support and generosity.
