Supporting Sam Ewing in His Fight Against Cancer.

To the many people who have had the privilege of knowing Sam Ewing, he has been much more than a colleague.

He has been a mentor, a teacher, a supporter, and a dear friend.

For those of us who were fortunate enough to be part of Disney's Florida animation studio, Sam was one of the people who helped make that studio—and the family within it—so special. He was always willing to share his knowledge, give someone an opportunity, and help them make the most of it.

Sam is 73 years old and has had a lifelong love for the craft of animation.

His passion for animation began at a very young age in New Zealand, where his father introduced him to the craft. That passion eventually brought him to Walt Disney Feature Animation's Florida studio in 1989.

Sam remained there until the studio closed in 2004, becoming a lead cleanup artist and helping bring some of Disney's most memorable characters to life. Among the characters he worked on were Khan from Mulan, Stitch from Lilo & Stitch, and Koda from Brother Bear.

But what many of us remember most isn't simply the characters Sam worked on. It's the people he helped along the way.

I was one of the lucky people who worked with Sam on Mulan. From that first movie experience, he became both a mentor and a dear friend. Sam was always quick to give you an opportunity and then help you take advantage of it. He shared his knowledge freely and had a way of making people feel that they were capable of more than they might have believed themselves.

Many of us who worked with him can tell similar stories.

Sam has always loved life. He loves traveling, gardening, spending time with his friends, and, of course, his darling little princess, Lily—his beloved Chihuahua who is never far from his side.

Sam has already faced cancer, I'll let him tell this part.

Sam:

"I first got diagnosed with cancer in October 2023. Colon cancer.

I was treated with chemo and radiation… Since then, in ’24 and in ’25, I had to have radiation treatments in my lung once, the top of my lung, and once at the bottom of my lung…

And now, again in ’26, it’s in my lung, and they’re thinking chemo. So, unfortunately, this will be my fourth go of it."

Sam is preparing to begin treatment again. At this point, additional testing is needed to determine exactly what course of treatment will be most appropriate. While those decisions are being made, the financial burden of cancer has become overwhelming, and Sam needs help.

The funds raised here will help Sam with the costs associated with his cancer journey—including the additional testing needed to determine his treatment, medical and treatment-related expenses, and the other financial burdens that come with fighting a serious illness.

If you are able to contribute, no amount is too small. Every donation can help reduce the financial pressure Sam is facing and allow him to concentrate on what matters most right now: getting the care he needs and fighting this cancer.

If you aren't able to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends, former Disney colleagues, animation community, and anyone who may know Sam or remember the impact he had on their lives.

For those of us who know Sam, this isn't simply about helping a former Disney animator. It's about helping a friend. It's about helping a mentor who helped so many of us.

And it's about giving Sam the support he needs as he faces the fight ahead.

Please stand with Sam and help us remind him that he doesn't have to face this alone.

Thank you for your generosity, your support, your prayers, and for helping us give back to someone who has given so much to others.