The mission of Daniel’s Care Van is simple: Transporting the Brave. Since 2015, we have provided free transportation to children and young adults with cancer and other life threatening illnesses to and from their outpatient appointments when the family lacks reliable transportation.
Why We Exist
Daniel’s Care Van is a true grass roots organization based in Denver, CO. The service we provide is needed to alleviate one of the hardships some families face when their child is diagnosed with cancer or another life threatening illness. These families can have multiple out-patient appointments per week and these appointments can last anywhere from 2-9 hours. Imagine spending 8 hours in clinic and then having to take a 2 hour bus ride, with multiple bus changes along the way after your child has received chemo and is now feeling sick and run down. Children undergoing chemo are also very susceptible to viruses. Any virus can potentially lead to long inpatient stays (separating the family), set treatment back by weeks, and yes be fatal to a child whose immune system is not functioning properly. With the founder and multiple board members being parents of children with cancer or disabilities, we understand the challenges families face related to the long and difficult treatment their children must undergo, as well as the logistics of that treatment.
From the Founder
How did this come about? In 2011 when I, Jeri Jones, took my 2.5 year old son Daniel to the ER I never expected them to tell me he had Leukemia; never. We began our journey into the world of childhood cancer. We were up before the sun came up to get to appointments; with a back pack filled with toys and games to get us through the long days. I noticed several families that we had been in clinic with standing at the bus stop in the afternoon and I thought “that is wrong”. My son Daniel endured treatment for 9 months before Leukemia took him, but along the way he showed me what it truly meant to give to others. During one inpatient stay Daniel received several bouquets of balloons. When it was time for us to be discharged he asked if I would give his balloons to two other children he met in the hospital. He said “maybe these balloons will make them be happy and not cry no more.” Of course those words brought tears to my eyes and more tears flowed seeing the big smiles from the new recipients of these balloons.
I pursue the dream of Daniel’s Care Van to continue my son’s legacy of giving and maybe bringing a smile to a child’s face along the way. Please, please help make this a reality.
Daniel the Brave:
