Dave D.: Reaching Out with Hope and 'Spirit' for Those in Need
Dave D. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and current bestselling author, motivational speaker and founder, with his wife Jan, of Outreach of Hope. In the seventh year of his baseball career, a cancerous tumor was discovered in his pitching arm. After initial treatment and defying all odds, Dave came back to pitch once again in the Major Leagues and became an inspiration not only to cancer fighters but to all who needed hope that day. The cancer returned, and the following years were a whirlwind of surgery, radiation, pain and depression, all in the glaring light of the media. Eventually, Dave’s arm was amputated to stop the spread of the cancer and save his life. Through Outreach of Hope, he and Jan offer comfort, encouragement and hope to those who suffer from cancer, amputation or serious illness. Dave was the first recipient of ODEP’s SPIRIT Award, which honors an individual with a disability who has exemplified the traits of Strength in Leadership, Perseverance in unyielding commitment to achieving success, Integrity, Role Model, Independence and Trailblazer.
