Remembering Our Friend, Dan Waeger
"Life will never be the way it was before, but we cannot surrender to the disease."
- Dan Waeger
It is with deep sadness that the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) conveys the news of the death of our friend and colleague Dan Waeger. Dan passed away Monday, March 16th at home under the compassionate care of hospice and his beloved fiancée, Meghan Rodgers and other family members. Dan’s survivorship spanned nearly four years with Stage IV lung cancer. Those four years were characterized by many highs and lows, but with a never-faltering “can do” attitude and a telegenic smile.
The NCCS staff and hundreds of others have been touched by 26-year-old Dan’s gregarious spirit and exemplary journey of survivorship. Dan epitomized cancer survivorship and embraced the core mission of NCCS. He further devoted much of his time to sharing his cancer experience with fellow survivors. He used his experience as a survivor to increase awareness of the challenges that both he and others facing a cancer diagnosis, deal with on a daily basis.
Dan honed his advocacy skills and reached out beyond himself to encourage and empower others. He did not shy away from the difficult questions that accompanied his diagnosis and encouraged others to do the same. Whether speaking to fellow survivors, his colleagues at NCCS, scientists, industry representatives, policy makers, or high school students, Dan conveyed the importance of his “Will Win Attitude” and challenged each of them to exemplify this every day.
We will remember Dan for his winning sense of humor, that infectious smile, his strong sense of responsibility, and his demand that we reach beyond ourselves to make a difference. Dan possessed an unbridled love of sports – particularly golf, baseball and basketball – and of his fiancée, Meghan Rodgers, who shared not only Dan’s cancer journey but also his courageous spirit. Meghan will continue writing on a blog the two created together last year.
Dan joined NCCS as a Development Manager in 2006 - a little more than a year after his diagnosis - and inspired people in his work at NCCS and through his own foundation. Having been diagnosed while in college, Dan founded the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation to provide services and support to young adults diagnosed with cancer. The Foundation has provided thousands of dollars in financial support to young adults pursuing a higher education throughout their cancer treatment and beyond. In lieu of flowers or other gestures in his memory, Dan’s family is encouraging donations to the foundation.
With much admiration and love for Dan, our colleague and friend, as we remember his limitless enthusiasm for life, his “Will Win Attitude,” and the utter joy that he brought to each and every one of us.
