Dan and Mom Jody at The Lemon Ball.

We are deeply saddened as one of our long time childhood cancer heroes, Dan Hammond, passed away last Thursday, February 20. Dan wasn't just a childhood cancer hero, he was a young adult hero as well. After being diagnosed at age 9, Dan fought "the beast" - what he nicknamed his cancer - for 12 years. His connection to ALSF is very personal, he was one of the fortunate heroes to have actually met Alex Scott as they were being treated in the hospital at the same time. Since that first meeting, Dan became a steadfast supporter of ALSF and brightened so many events with his endearing personality, which was a unique and refreshing blend of sincerity and humor.

Dan garnered the support of people across the country most recently when a social media campaign had everyone from sports stars to actors posting photos with the phrase, "Dan's Our Man." Christian Bale even wrote the phrase on his face to pledge his support.

It's stories like this that not only sadden us, but also motivate, inspire and quite simply anger us, that this devastating disease continues to take the lives of incredible people like Dan. We need to find cures - now.

Dan, you are the man.