Eat Dessert First Day-A Sweet Way to Fight Childhood Cancer

Date: 
Apr 21 2017 - 11:00am to Mar 29 2024 - 1:06am
Location: 

Everywhere

Description: 

The third annual Eat Dessert First Day-A Sweet Way to Fight Childhood Cancer takes place on Friday, April 21, to honor the memory of pediatric cancer patient Dana Morgan; to celebrate family and friends; and to raise funds for pediatric cancer research at the UA Steele Children’s Research Center. 

Dana's parents Scott and Michelle Morgan created Eat Dessert First Day (EDFD) her honor. Dana passed away on Jan. 22, 2015, at the young age of 10, from complications of leukemia.

She would have turned 13 on April 21.

To make a donation to the UA Steele Center’s pediatric cancer research program, go to: www.eatdessertfirstday.org

About Dana, aka “Dananator”
Dana was known to many as “Dananator” because of her champion spirit and contagious, exuberant energy. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was only 4 years old.

After the original diagnosis, Dana experienced two relapses, but through it all she maintained her positive spirit. She always was sharing hugs, greeting people with a high-five and making everyone laugh. She loved many things – including her constant companion, Swimmie the Dolphin, fedoras, sports, music, wearing mismatched socks, family gatherings and, of course, dessert.

When diagnosed with the second relapse in Aug. 2014, Dana was hospitalized at Banner -Diamond Children’s Medical Center for intensive treatments to prepare for a stem cell transplant. While at Diamond Children’s, Dana often talked about what she would do when discharged. She created a list of fun activities and adventures. One of her sweetest and simplest ideas was to enjoy family dinner at one of her favorite restaurants – with the added perk of being allowed to eat dessert first.