Plenty of tears have been shed in the 10 years that have passed since 19-year-old Dani Stell succumbed to Ewing’s sarcoma.
And while Dani’s untimely passing will always tug at the heartstrings of those who loved her, a couple hundred of her nearest and dearest bravely put a happy face on tragedy by turning out for Kiss The Bluz Goodbye: Cocktails for a Cause. The star-studded fundraiser — guests included actress Julia Roberts’ nephew Keaton Simons, and Colorado snowboarder Jesse Csincsak, winner of Season 4 of “The Bachelorette” — took place Thursday at Denver’s City Park Pavilion and raised a yet-to-be- determined amount for Dani’s Foundation and its campaign to end pediatric sarcoma.
Simons, a singer and guitarist whose works are featured on the soundtracks of such popular television shows as “NCIS” and “The Cleaner,” headlined the benefit; Csincsak, who had helped promote the event, will be along for the ride when the high bidders on a VIP Limo Night on the Town hit some of Denver’s hottest clubs for cocktails, dessert and dancing.
Eight-year-old vocalist Jaden Carlson of Denver also entertained.
Dani’s brother, Johny Stell, spoke on behalf of the family when he said: “Thanks to the love in the room this evening, we will beat this awful disease that took my sister’s life.” Executive director Martha Simmons pointed out that in addition to raising research dollars, Dani’s Foundation is committed to providing resources and information for pediatric sarcoma patients, and educating the community with the goal of earlier diagnoses that result in more favorable outcomes.
Kiss The Bluz Goodbye was chaired by Sharon McNally, who owns the Z Club Colorado franchise with Will Coleman.
Twelve of Dani’s former South High School classmates — Meagan Baalman, Gigi Bruner, Timothy DeMasters, Belle Duggan, Dan Ericson, Bridget Ferrell, Kristen Kady, Heather Utrata, Jeremy McKenna, Anna Pine, Valerie Ward and Kate Ziminski — were there to spread the word about Friends of Dani, which they are starting to help support the foundation.
Dani’s grandmother, Catherine Hatton of Denver, and second cousin, Carmen Johansen of Arlington, Va., were there, too, along with 16-year-old Maressa McClintock, a six-year pediatric sarcoma survivor, and such foundation board members as Dr. Staci Sanford, a neurological researcher at the University of Colorado; Dr. Kenna Ducey-Clark of the Falling Leaves Clinic in Cherry Creek; and Dr. Catherine Kunst, executive director of The Bard Center.
Also, former Denver Bronco Jim Jensen and his wife, Dawn; Berthoud Inn proprietor Mark Chaffee; ice sculptor Jess Parrish; Jeremy Resmer, a vice president with Bazi; graphic artist Val Kaleda, who’d been one of Simmons’ Theta sorority sisters at Colorado State University; retired University of Northern Colorado football coach Bob Blasi and his wife, Anne; Doug Gott, a partner in Ceren Vodka; and Simmons’ husband, Glenn Parker, who was one of the volunteers that helped make the benefit a success.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; blogs.denverpost and GetItWrite on Twitter
