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HOW I MET DAMO
On November 6th, I walked into a Starbucks and was introduced by a friend to one of the most incredible young men that I have ever met in my life, Dominique "Damo" Saua Lauati. We met because my friend, an athletic coach at Bellflower High School who is known for supporting youth and student athletes, had been contacted by rival Mayfair High School where Damo was a student. Mayfair had reached out to my friend to see if he could help Damo with a campaign to raise awareness and funds for a prosthetic leg which had been declined by his insurance company stating that it was "cosmetic". Damo was a young man that was filled with light, love and laughter and when asked during our chance meeting what he wanted broke into tears and said that he just did not want anyone else to suffer with cancer the way that he did. When we departed I hugged him for his strength, his courage, and selflessness. I drove away in tears with a heavy heart fully aware that this could be my own child. My friend and I both committed to personally helping him in any way possible.
DAMO’S STORY
This is Damo's story. Damo was a handsome, intelligent and ambitious young man who loved the game of football and had dreams and aspirations of attending and playing football at USC and eventually go on to play professional football. He played on the varsity football team for Mayfair. His future was bright and it appeared that all of the stars were aligned for him until fate decided otherwise. In 2012 Damo was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right leg. Imagine the fears of a then 14 year old child as he faced what could possibly be the end of his dreams of ever playing college or professional football? Instead he moved forward and made the courageous decision to sacrifice the limb in hopes that it would permanently rid his body of cancer and that he could move forward with a healthy and happy life. And move forward he did. He had the full attention of a loving and supportive group of family and friends who surrounded him every step of the way. Damo appeared to be doing well. He was thriving academically, socially and emotionally.
On November 13th, as we were planning a walk for Damo to raise awareness and funds, I received a phone call with news that I did not want to accept. Damo was in the hospital and had been given a week to live. The mass in his lungs that they thought was fluid was aggressive cancer and the doctor informed the family that chemotherapy would have been fatal immediately. On November 19th, a bright light dimmed forever and Damo lost his battle to cancer surrounded by his loved ones.
Our meeting was chance but meeting Damo forever changed both of our lives which is why we created this campaign. Our wish is that Damo has a home going service that is filled with grace and dignity. His family has recently suffered the untimely loss of his grandmother and is still trying to recover from those expenses. We are asking for your support of his burial services and his memory. We know that the holiday season is upon us but pray that you will be able to make a donation of any amount to support. There is no gift too small.
For friends and family or anyone interested in seeing what an amazing young man Damo was, a Facebook page is in the process of being created for Damo at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008487604399. Please share your words of encouragement, pictures or videos to keep his memory alive.
On behalf of the Lauati Family, may God bless and keep you.
On November 6th, I walked into a Starbucks and was introduced by a friend to one of the most incredible young men that I have ever met in my life, Dominique "Damo" Saua Lauati. We met because my friend, an athletic coach at Bellflower High School who is known for supporting youth and student athletes, had been contacted by rival Mayfair High School where Damo was a student. Mayfair had reached out to my friend to see if he could help Damo with a campaign to raise awareness and funds for a prosthetic leg which had been declined by his insurance company stating that it was "cosmetic". Damo was a young man that was filled with light, love and laughter and when asked during our chance meeting what he wanted broke into tears and said that he just did not want anyone else to suffer with cancer the way that he did. When we departed I hugged him for his strength, his courage, and selflessness. I drove away in tears with a heavy heart fully aware that this could be my own child. My friend and I both committed to personally helping him in any way possible.
DAMO’S STORY
This is Damo's story. Damo was a handsome, intelligent and ambitious young man who loved the game of football and had dreams and aspirations of attending and playing football at USC and eventually go on to play professional football. He played on the varsity football team for Mayfair. His future was bright and it appeared that all of the stars were aligned for him until fate decided otherwise. In 2012 Damo was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right leg. Imagine the fears of a then 14 year old child as he faced what could possibly be the end of his dreams of ever playing college or professional football? Instead he moved forward and made the courageous decision to sacrifice the limb in hopes that it would permanently rid his body of cancer and that he could move forward with a healthy and happy life. And move forward he did. He had the full attention of a loving and supportive group of family and friends who surrounded him every step of the way. Damo appeared to be doing well. He was thriving academically, socially and emotionally.
On November 13th, as we were planning a walk for Damo to raise awareness and funds, I received a phone call with news that I did not want to accept. Damo was in the hospital and had been given a week to live. The mass in his lungs that they thought was fluid was aggressive cancer and the doctor informed the family that chemotherapy would have been fatal immediately. On November 19th, a bright light dimmed forever and Damo lost his battle to cancer surrounded by his loved ones.
Our meeting was chance but meeting Damo forever changed both of our lives which is why we created this campaign. Our wish is that Damo has a home going service that is filled with grace and dignity. His family has recently suffered the untimely loss of his grandmother and is still trying to recover from those expenses. We are asking for your support of his burial services and his memory. We know that the holiday season is upon us but pray that you will be able to make a donation of any amount to support. There is no gift too small.
For friends and family or anyone interested in seeing what an amazing young man Damo was, a Facebook page is in the process of being created for Damo at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008487604399. Please share your words of encouragement, pictures or videos to keep his memory alive.
On behalf of the Lauati Family, may God bless and keep you.