In 1984, Denise Marie Flaherty’s doctors diagnosed her with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and predicted she would have approximately 6 weeks to live.

At the time, having 5 young sons under the age of 18, Denise told doctors “she wasn’t going anywhere, she was needed here.”  With that determination and spirit, she urged her care team to help do the impossible – whatever was needed to keep her alive.

Through exploration of clinical trials, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, Denise was able to valiantly fight the vicious disease and see her children mature. After nearly 10 years of battle, astounding doctors at every step, she earned her right to rest.

Faced with the staggering medical bills that had accumulated, the Flaherty family struggled to repay the medical debts. To honor Denise’s courageous will to live, the family received an unexpected and extraordinary gift from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC in the form of forgiveness for about $350k worth of medical bills.

In a mission to pay forward the blessings bestowed on the Flaherty family, son Brian founded the Denise Marie Flaherty Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit to help other families who feel the financial burden of fighting cancer.

DMF Foundation puts the FUN in fundraising through golf outings and dinner galas as well as many other unique events throughout the year.