July, 2005
Dear friends of the Foundation,
We are writing to thank you for your contribution to the David Louis Gordon Daniel Foundation and to update you on the progress the Foundation is making. As you know, the Foundation is named in memory of our eldest son, David Gordon Louis Daniel, who died July 31, 2004.
We are extremely gratified to announce that in June the Foundation recently received a favorable preliminary Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruling of tax exempt status as a public charity under chapter 501(c)3. The Foundation was incorporated as an Educational and Charitable Foundation on August 24, 2004 , and contributions made after August 24, 2004 , will qualify as tax deductible.
Having received the favorable ruling from the IRS, we have begun to pursue formal fundraising and scientific activities. Thus far and until further notice, all administrative costs of the Foundation will be borne by contributions from the founders, David and Lisa Daniel. The initial round of fundraising, which we have completed, will be applied to the scientific agenda described below. The Foundation has created a scientific advisory board which includes some of the world's foremost expertise in the educational and medical areas it intends to research. A current listing of these advisors, their affiliations and the areas in which they will assist the Foundation is attached. The scientific advisory board membership is expected to continue to grow.
The goals of the Foundation are to: A) promote literacy, B) research new treatments for orphan diseases of childhood and C) research methods to engender in children love of learning, empathy and compassion.
- The first project in the promotion of literacy category has been initiated and addresses identification of factors that predict the amount of time that parents spend reading to their children. A survey instrument has been created and will undergo field validation shortly. The initial subject population of parents of pre-school age children has been procured. The costs of the initial proof of concept study will be borne entirely by the founders and time donated by the scientific advisors.
- A Request for Proposal (RFP) and a scientific review board have been created to recommend methodology and evaluate proposals for nutritional interventions (omega-3 fatty acids, homocysteine reducing B vitamins) as putative coronary artery endothelial protective strategies in children who have had full or partial recovery of coronary artery aneurysms caused by Kawasaki's disease. Seed funding will be provided from the recently completed initial round of informal fundraising conducted by the Foundation. Substantial additional funding will be required and will be actively solicited form donors. Potential funding from the American Heart Foundation and Kawasaki 's Foundation will be explored as well.
Again, we are very grateful for your support, your thoughts and your prayers. We will keep you updated on our progress. Should you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you again.
David and Lisa Daniel