Daniel (Dan) T. Liss was born March 6, 1988, son of Ken and Gina Liss and little brother to Jennifer and Jackie. The family lived in Bridgewater, New Jersey, where Dan attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School and was a champion wrestler. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and scuba diving. Dan loved sports and he was the New York Giants biggest fan! Dan cherished his family and friends, he was known for his kind soul and finding the good in everyone.

After high school he attended Rider University, where during his junior year he was accepted to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain. Dan immersed himself into the language and culture of Spain, fitting in time to travel to 8 other countries in Europe and even skydiving in the Swiss Alps! Dan wanted to always make the most out of his education and the opportunities it provided him.

After his return from Spain, in May 2010, Dan was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, Ewings Sarcoma. A tumor in his spine caused Dan to become paralyzed and wheelchair bound. Dan woke up in the hospital each day positive he would walk again! He didn't think cancer was a problem; he could beat it! His loved ones never left his side and he never was alone. After several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, his condition quickly worsened. On August 10, 2010 Dan passed away at the age of 22, earning his angel wings and leaving a legacy that continues today. Dan's family could never have made it through this time if it had not been from the support of their community of friends and family. This is the heart of the Daniel T. Memorial Fund, to help those while they are in the fight for their life and need it the most!
The Daniel T. Liss Memorial Fund works tirelessly to support cancer patients and those with other life threatening illnesses, by providing financial support to these patients and their families. Financial support to help pay medical expenses, family needs or even a special treat or experience to bring a smile to their face. The Daniel T. Liss Memorial Fund has provided families with food sent to their homes, house cleaning services, going to help with chores, paying medical bills, presents at the holidays or when a big scan/or test is coming up. Calling upon Dan's dedication to education, the Daniel T. Liss Memorial Fund also grants college scholarships to athletes who strive for excellence in the classroom and in their sport.
DTL COMMITTEE
Jennifer & Jason McKay
Jennifer is Daniel's oldest sister, a wife, and a mother of 2 boys and 1 girl.
When Dan was diagnosed, it was remarkable the way that our family, friends and community stepped up. It was just so amazing to have such a wonderful network to support us. Dan was blessed to be with top doctors and in a great hospital just 45 minutes up the highway. Someone in our family was always able to be with him. I realized that this is really not always the case for many families. We were all older and able to take care of ourselves, however many families are split up, receiving treatments far away from home, leaving siblings to be watched by others, etc. I knew this was my sign that I needed to take this awful situation and turn it into awareness, and start helping others.
When Dan was in the hospital, the very few times we were able to be alone, we had a conversation where told me he would finish his treatments, get back to gym and in great health - and then he was going to help others who have to deal with this s***! (sorry but those were his exact words!) He wanted to train the assistance dogs on a farm and give them to families. He was always thinking of others. That is when I knew that this is what I was meant to do.
Christa & Wesley Claytor
Christa holds an A.S. degree in Health Information Technology, and is currently an Administrative Assistant at The Work-Family Connection Before and After School Enrichment Programs. She loves to cook, bake and crochet in her spare time. She has donated some of her own hand-crafted blankets and hats as therapy blankets and gifts to children who are sick and in need of warmth and the thoughts of others. She also assists with marketing and event planning for DTL.
Wes holds an A.A. degree in Teaching, a B.S. degree in Exercise Science, is an ACE certified personal trainer, and is currently working for TruGreen, while also training clients privately on the side. In his spare time he is training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, working on his strength & conditioning or cooking with his wife. He has helped to raise money through fundraising for TapCancerOut (a Jiu-Jitsu non-profit), assisted in the fundraising for his brother’s medical treatment before he passed from liver cancer, and is looking for any way to continue to honor his brother’s short-lived life.
Heather and Pat Grande
Heather is married with three young sons. After a close family member's cancer diagnosis (and subsequent fundraising), Heather's husband was diagnosed with a very rare cancer knows as adrenal cortical carcinoma.
During her husband's treatment she literally ran into and became friends with another local family who's 7 year old son was battling brain cancer (Jacob Grecco.) After her husband's recovery and clean bill of health, she became involved in fundraising for Jacob and his family. Jacob was a lively and spirited child, and his family's love and determination was inspiring. Jacob passed away in August of 2012, but not without changing the hearts and minds of so many of us.
Cancer isn't some abstract topic, it doesn't discriminate against age, sex or religion. Our circle of "cancer" advocates was growing... And then came the Daniel T Liss Memorial Fund.
Another divine intervention of meeting someone who became a dear friend, Heather began working with Jen at DTL. Motivated by Jen's sheer heart, determination and energy Heather is happy to be on Team DTL!
Tara Laggini
Tara is currently completing school for occupational therapy to satisfy her passion for helping others. As a brain tumor survivor, Tara works closely with many organizations to raise money and awareness for all types of cancers.
Tara was friends with dan throughout school and is a constant supporter of DTL, year after year.
Jennifer McKay
Director, Daniel T. Liss Memorial Fund
Sister of Daniel T. Liss
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