#TeamDStrong Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Meet DemBari - our champion and our friend. You won’t meet anyone with a bigger heart than D.
Dude has skills...Video of D
He’s an inspiration to all, not only to our dance community. He is a star. His positivity and work ethic inspire all of us. He has an ability to connect with anyone. This 19-year old alum from Kirkwood High School (Class of 2021) is an aspiring world-class entertainer, a teacher, a leader, and a role model. But most of all, he is our brother.
D’s perseverance and “Bulldog determination” amazes everyone. He immediately cares for all that are around him, and he pulls us all in. He’s gritty, yet kind. He’s proud, yet humble. He’d never come out and tell you about all his recent recognition at Monsters Dance including scholarships, freestyle battle championships (three times for the current New Era Tour), and the Monsters Dance Alan Funk award he received in November 2021. Dembari has also competed and earned recognition at Starz Dance and Adrenaline Dance .
From the moment he arrives at the dance studio, he brings his energy to work hard. He pushes everyone to be their best, while striving to become better. His love and care for others has no bounds. DemBari truly takes in everything in life, and makes it something he can share with those around him.
Recently he fell ill over Thanksgiving. He made several doctor, urgent care, and emergency room visits over the course of the past month looking for answers. All of these visits resulted in no one pinning down what exactly was going on. He was repeatedly told to “Go home, rest, be patient, take this new prescription, and come back if it doesn’t get better.” It did not get better.
Our dance studio’s Nutcracker performances were held December 10 and 12th. In typical DemBari fashion, he attended both to support his brother, his students, and his friends. However, he was not himself for that final performance.
DemBari was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital on December 13, 2021. After further testing results came back and what was found scared us - bacteria had invaded his heart valve resulting in Endocarditis. In a matter of hours, he was informed surgery on the valve was likely needed, and that he would be transferred elsewhere. In a series of many blessings and miracles, D was rapidly transported to Cardinal Glennon’s Cardiology and Heart Surgery Programs, where he was admitted to the PICU.
DemBari underwent open-heart surgery on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Cardinal Glennon, marking the beginning of a long journey into recovery. Yes answers were found, but answers were continually complicated and filled with overwhelming emotions and confusion. However, the goal was immediately set for D; full recovery. The team repeatedly stated that their job was getting D back to what he loves to do, dance.
Funds are being raised to help specifically with D’s recovery over the course of the next few months, and potentially longer. This will require time. DemBari will need to 100% focus on his recovery. He needs rest, and will not have the ability to work for an extended period of time.
Our hope for this support campaign is that you will consider supporting DemBari's recovery. You’ve been asking, and here is your chance to jump in during this times of need.
We personally hope that you follow the example DemBari has shown us over and over and over. Give selflessly, care for those around you, and challenge yourself to give back more than you ever thought you could.
We love you DemBari, and we thank you for all that you have given us. Now it’s our turn for us to give back to you.
With many thanks and endless gratitude,
The Ender's family will be withdrawing the funds on DemBari's behalf and with his permission.
#TeamDStrong
Dude has skills...Video of D
He’s an inspiration to all, not only to our dance community. He is a star. His positivity and work ethic inspire all of us. He has an ability to connect with anyone. This 19-year old alum from Kirkwood High School (Class of 2021) is an aspiring world-class entertainer, a teacher, a leader, and a role model. But most of all, he is our brother.
D’s perseverance and “Bulldog determination” amazes everyone. He immediately cares for all that are around him, and he pulls us all in. He’s gritty, yet kind. He’s proud, yet humble. He’d never come out and tell you about all his recent recognition at Monsters Dance including scholarships, freestyle battle championships (three times for the current New Era Tour), and the Monsters Dance Alan Funk award he received in November 2021. Dembari has also competed and earned recognition at Starz Dance and Adrenaline Dance .
From the moment he arrives at the dance studio, he brings his energy to work hard. He pushes everyone to be their best, while striving to become better. His love and care for others has no bounds. DemBari truly takes in everything in life, and makes it something he can share with those around him.
Recently he fell ill over Thanksgiving. He made several doctor, urgent care, and emergency room visits over the course of the past month looking for answers. All of these visits resulted in no one pinning down what exactly was going on. He was repeatedly told to “Go home, rest, be patient, take this new prescription, and come back if it doesn’t get better.” It did not get better.
Our dance studio’s Nutcracker performances were held December 10 and 12th. In typical DemBari fashion, he attended both to support his brother, his students, and his friends. However, he was not himself for that final performance.
DemBari was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital on December 13, 2021. After further testing results came back and what was found scared us - bacteria had invaded his heart valve resulting in Endocarditis. In a matter of hours, he was informed surgery on the valve was likely needed, and that he would be transferred elsewhere. In a series of many blessings and miracles, D was rapidly transported to Cardinal Glennon’s Cardiology and Heart Surgery Programs, where he was admitted to the PICU.
DemBari underwent open-heart surgery on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Cardinal Glennon, marking the beginning of a long journey into recovery. Yes answers were found, but answers were continually complicated and filled with overwhelming emotions and confusion. However, the goal was immediately set for D; full recovery. The team repeatedly stated that their job was getting D back to what he loves to do, dance.
Funds are being raised to help specifically with D’s recovery over the course of the next few months, and potentially longer. This will require time. DemBari will need to 100% focus on his recovery. He needs rest, and will not have the ability to work for an extended period of time.
Our hope for this support campaign is that you will consider supporting DemBari's recovery. You’ve been asking, and here is your chance to jump in during this times of need.
We personally hope that you follow the example DemBari has shown us over and over and over. Give selflessly, care for those around you, and challenge yourself to give back more than you ever thought you could.
We love you DemBari, and we thank you for all that you have given us. Now it’s our turn for us to give back to you.
With many thanks and endless gratitude,
The Ender's family will be withdrawing the funds on DemBari's behalf and with his permission.
#TeamDStrong
Co-organizers (4)
Clark Wellman
Organizer
Kirkwood, MO
Shelly Enders
Beneficiary
Danielle Cometa
Co-organizer
Jason Enders
Co-organizer
Katie Volz
Co-organizer