Danny's Legacy
In December 2010 the CARE for Danny organization was created with the mission of raising funds to help Danny pursue all available treatment options while providing an online community where his supporters could follow his progress and share their thoughts. On May 13, 2011 Danny lost his battle with cancer, but his abundant courage and optimism continue to have a positive impact on those around him.
In November of 2011, Rick Ferraro, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech, met with Danny’s parents to collaborate on a VT-hosted website dedicated to Danny’s memory and raising awareness for early detection and treatment of testicular cancer. VT is also planning outreach efforts to students as well as training for health staff by a specialist in testicular urology.
Please help us honor Danny’s legacy by sharing this link with others:
http://www.healthcenter.vt.edu/HE/Daniel-Kellogg-Testicular-Cancer.htm
Many thanks to Virginia Tech for honoring Danny and for taking the initiative to educate young men on the warning signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.
Danny died on Friday, May 13, 2011 in Asian Hospital in Manila, Philippines after a two year battle (16 months since diagnosis) with choriocarcinoma testicular cancer. Born in Columbia SC, October 12, 1989, he was the son of James Kellogg and Beatriz Kellogg. He studied at Columbia Montessori Elementary School, Hand Middle School, and graduated from Dreher High School in 2008. In 2004, Danny was confirmed as a member of the Shandon Presbyterian Church. At Dreher High School, Danny was active in the soccer team, co-captain of the cross country and swim teams, as well as serving on the Math Team, Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish, Drama, and Frisbee clubs, and of course the Bobsled Team. Danny was a National Merit Scholar and won numerous scholarships. In 2008 he began studies in the Honors College on the beautiful Virginia Tech campus. He completed three semesters in the Civil and Environmental Engineering program before being diagnosed with cancer and having to take a leave of absence.
Danny was fascinated with the world and life in all its variety and sizes, down to the tiniest insects and lizards. He loved to travel, from annual trips to the high mountains of his mother’s home and Danny’s second home in the Colombian Andes, to exploring Costa Rican tidal pools, climbing to the top of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil, trying exotic foods and drinks in Bulgaria, and finally, making new friends with other cancer patients around the world.
Danny loved spending time with his friends. He had a casual, alternative sense of style and an off-beat sense of humor. During his very difficult 16 months of cancer treatment, Danny always maintained his fighting spirit, positive attitude, dignity and grace. So many friends and family in Columbia and around the world gave him love and support. As Danny sometimes said, “What ridiculously awesome friends I have!”
Danny, thank you for those wonderful 21 years, and may your gentle, positive spirit, your courage and dignity, and your love of life always be in our hearts.
Danny is survived by his parents, James and Beatriz; younger brother, Matthew; and grandparents, Jaime and Teresa Rincon.
Video Blog