The DLF Foundation was established by a group of concerned people in California to foster the prevention, awareness and treatment of skin cancer, (the deadliest being melanoma), and the effects of the sun.  The President of the foundation, Rhonda Sparks-Farwell, lost her husband, Darren Farwell to melanoma on September 14, 2001.  He battled the disease for five long years, never giving up hope and always staying positive and lively for his three young boys. Darren had one request before he died and that was to tell people to 'stay healthy' and to 'take responsibility of their bodies.'  The Foundation can help Darren's request come true by educating people about the effects of the sun and skin cancer.  Skin Cancer is 100% curable if it is caught early enough and to do this, we must make young children and adults aware of what to look for  and how to prevent occurrence through the proper use of sunscreen and hats.  (Protecting your skin during the first 18 years of life can reduce the risk of some types of skin cancer by up to 78% and experts warn that even one severe sunburn during the first 15 years of life can double the risk of skin cancer.) 

The foundation involves public education through different mediums.  For Kindergarten through 5th grade, we are raising awareness by using storytelling and puppetteering to keep the children's attention.  We also have an interactive children's song being developed that will teach children the importance of wearing sunscreen, hats and early detection through self-examination of the skin.  For 6th through 12th graders, we are using a more direct approach that entails telling Darren Farwell's story and his struggles with the disease and also putting together a slide show that can be presented through schools that will educate children using the latest music and extreme sports and also doing interviews with everyday teenagers.  We want it to be 'cool' to be aware of the effects of skin cancer and the sun.


Darren was 32 when he died, far too young to leave us.  Although it was never proven, Darren felt as though he got melanoma when he was a young teenager.  He was an avid surfer and snowboarder and as he recalled, 'couldn't even count the number of sunburns he got.'  No one ever told him that sunburns were bad.  No one ever told him what skin cancer was or how deadly it can be.  He wants that to be different for his boys and all other children around the world.  He wants everyone to know that they can prevent getting skin cancer by being aware and taking action.  The DLF Foundation is taking the first step to make Darren's dream come true.  We will continue our quest until we find a cure.  If anyone would like to help us by volunteering or donating money, please call, write or email us! We appreciate your support! (All donations are tax deductible.)