The family and friends of 32-year-old Darren Lee Farwell formed the DLF Foundation on December 1st 2001. Darren passed away on September 14th 2001 to Malignant Melanoma (Skin Cancer) and is survived by his wife Rhonda Sparks-Farwell (President of the Foundation) and their three beautiful boys Ethan (10), Seth (8), and Caleb (6). The Foundation was formed with a three-part goal in mind. The DLF Foundation first and foremost would like to raise the general publics awareness of the ever-growing dangers of UV Radiation from the Sun. Second, to educate both children and adults on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from over-exposure with sunscreens, hats, and UV protective clothing. The Foundation would like to thirdly, facilitate the early detection of the skin disease by teaching people what to look for and also by providing FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENINGS through the new Sonora Community Hospital Health Van.  

Darren grew up surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. He was constantly in the sun without any protection. He never knew any better, he was never told about the likely dangers that over-exposure to the sun could cause. In fact, in his own words he ‘couldn’t count the amount of times that he was sun burnt’ Darren wants this to be different for his boys and all other children around the world. This is why Darren’s loved ones, The DLF Foundation, have decided to take action. The Foundation is committed to improving the level of awareness towards the SUN and the DANGERS that i presents if not properly dealt with.  

Shortly after the Foundation was formed, they approached Frank and Sall Helm of Dodge Ridge Ski Resort about establishing an event that would both memorialize Darren and raise funds for the Foundations cause. On March 9th 2002, The First Annual “DLF-Slide for the Cure” was held. The event was a huge success with hundreds of participants and over $30,000 in contributions raised. This ski and snowboard event was a first of its kind. The concept of a ‘marathon’ type fundraising event being held at a ski resort had never before been realized in our community. This year we take our event to a new mountain, Bear Valley Mountain Resort, with hopes of reaching a new audience and spead the word farther.  The Foundation will continue its pursuit towards a Skin Cancer Free Society.  

The Darren Lee Farwell Foundation, a skin cancer awareness foundation, has pledged a new health van for Sonora Community Hospitals Cancer Center. The new Sonora Regioal Medical Center, located in Sonora, will host Tuolumne's first full-scale Cancer Center. The Darren Lee Farwell Foundation will be supporting and facilitating skin cancer related programs that will be based out of the new Cancer Center.  

Late in 2002, The Darren Lee Farwell Foundation (DLF Foundation) met with Gail Witzlsteiner of the Sonora Community Hospital’s Planning Department and decided to pledge approximately $100,000 towards a new health van for the hospital. The Foundation  presented the first $25,000 in the early part of January 2003.  

For more information about the Foundation, it’s members, their cause, or the Slide for the Cure, please contact (888) INFO-DLF or visit the Foundations new Web Site at www.DLFfoundation.com