When you watch someone do something extremely difficult with an ease and grace that makes the impossible look effortless, it’s inspiring.  Inspiring others is something Dalton Levine did throughout his lifetime through his amazing dance and orchestra performances, his impressive academic achievements and his eternally optimistic and inspiring way he lived his life while fighting a very rare and aggressive form of cancer, Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC).  Diagnosed in high school, Dalton’s resolve never faltered.  He remained positive and determined to fight this disease and get better, all while keeping his sense of humor and comforting younger cancer patients fighting the same fight.  A warrior to the end, Dalton sadly passed away on December 13th, 2016.  Following Dalton’s example of relentless positivity, humanity and kindness; his family was inspired to create the Dalton’s Moon Foundation in his memory.  The continual mission of the foundation is to raise funds to empower armies of doctors, nurses, clinicians, scientists and support staff in our hospitals to get the resources they need in order to make cancer a thing of the past.  Their dream is that the Dalton’s Moon Foundation will make the dream of “no more cancer” a reality.  

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Dalton’s legacy lives on and his family and friends invite the community to celebrate that legacy at the Third Annual Dalton’s Moon Foundation Golf Tournament on Friday, June 14th, at the Spring Valley Golf Club.  Funds raised from the tournament, as well as an amazing silent auction, will benefit Dancers Against Cancer, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Flight for Life Colorado, and local student beneficiary scholarships.   Before his passing, Dalton had participated in Colorado School of Dance’s “Dance for a Difference” show, a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Colorado, since its inception. To date, this annual benefit has raised well over $100,000 for the hospital.  He was also very proud to be chosen as an ambassador for Children’s Hospital in 2016. He represented the hospital at multiple events and supported numerous fundraising initiatives.

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Despite the rigors of his intense cancer treatments during his junior and senior years, Dalton continued to excel academically, graduating from LHS with honors, on time, with a better than 4.0 grade point average and in the top 3% of his class. Dalton had plans to attend University of Colorado - Boulder as a Computer Science major and ultimately to go to medical school and become a pediatrician. Dalton’s commitment to his education is the driving force behind the scholarships now awarded from funds raised by the Dalton’s Moon Foundation. 

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If you were fortunate enough to see Dalton perform, you know that his love of life came through in his passion for the arts.  If you never got that chance, you will no doubt be just as inspired by Dalton through the work of this amazing foundation and the legacy Dalton continues to leave.  In tribute to Dalton, or perhaps for someone you know who has battle or is battling cancer, please go to www.daltonsmoon.org for more information about the online auction, to register for the Dalton’s Moon Foundation Golf Tournament or simple to contribute to the foundation and their tireless fight against pediatric cancers.  Maya Angelou once said, “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.”  Dalton Levine certainly left his mark, and it’s one that will be impossible to erase. Please consider honoring his legacy by supporting the Dalton’s Moon Foundation at their event next month and become a part of that legacy.  If you are unable to attend the event, please consider becoming a sponsor through donation.   All donations, including cash and items donated for silent auction, are tax-deductible. Please go to www.daltonsmoon.org to register for the event or to contribute.

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