Hi everyone,
Danny Holt never smoked a cigarette in his life. He never sucked the clouds of secondhand smoke or poisonous asbestos.
But somehow, the 23-year-old Danbury man and former Danbury High football star woke up one day and couldn’t breathe.
At first, the doctors thought Holt had pneumonia. If only the answer was that palatable.
A March trip to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City confirmed the unthinkable. Danny was diagnosed with a far worse villain: a genetic mutation of lung cancer.
And no one could swallow the truth without crying.
This was not some self-imposed nicotine nightmare, after all. This was a gavel swinging out of nowhere and declaring Stage 3 lung cancer.
“When they checked out the pneumonia, they found a mass in his chest,” said Jay Holt, Danny’s 24-year-old brother. “Not that you ever want to have pneumonia, of course. But in this case, it was a blessing in disguise.
“If it wasn’t for the pneumonia, they wouldn’t have found the mass in his chest,” Jay added. “But it’s not like a regular tumor. It’s an enlarged mass of lymph nodes, so they can’t operate. It was getting so big, it was crushing his lungs and he only had a pinhole to breathe through for a while there.”
Next Friday night, the Holt family — Jay, older brother Eric, and their parents, Betty and Greg — will hold a benefit show for Danny at Cousin Larry’s on Elm Street in Danbury.
Proceeds from the fundraiser, which will start at 9 and run until closing, will be used to help pay for Danny’s medical bills. The Connecticut Artist Coalition, Antfarm Affiliates and Cousin Larry’s, which is donating its space for the event, are all important sponsors, Jay said.
There will be live music from seven different bands, including Danny’s old hip hop act, Hot Shots. There will be a raffle with an iPod Touch, restaurant vouchers and other great prizes. Admission is $5, but feel free to give more.
To read more about Danny Holt and his courageous fight against lung cancer, check out my Take on Life column Friday.
Only in the print edition of The News-Times.
This is very sad. will read the Take on Life! I hope Danny will be ok. I visited Danny while in the hospital…he is a TROOPER!
What is the DATE of the fundraiser? I want to be there…or atleast donate!! Yes Jay…went in for one thing and found another…I see it all the time. It is God working his magic!
xo
Comment by Patty Blanchette-baker — May 13th, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
Danny is my newphew I love him with all my heart. He is a wonderful,loving person. He is fighting everyday and He has his whole family behind him and with all this love he will beat this . We love you Danny. Aunt Donna
Comment by Donna Pennell — May 14th, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
The info for the fund raiser is:
May 21st
Cousin Larry’s on Elm Street
9:00pm
$5 admission
Comment by Lisa — May 14th, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
Danny was a student in my Child Development class during his senior year at DHS. He was a wonderful student with a charismatic personality. He may have been tough on the field, but when he worked with the children in our nursery school program he was sensitive, caring and fun!
Danny, if you are reading this, Mrs. Mitten sends my thoughts, prayers and love to you. Remember when I would play “Sharp Dressed Man” for you on Friday mornings before games?
Comment by Linda Mitten — May 15th, 2010 @ 12:28 am
Our prayers are with Danny and his family. We are praying that Danny has a full recovery. In God’s hand anything is possible! Danny is a fighter and like Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones”
Minnie, Jose, Sarah, Latisha,
Sisco
Comment by Minnie Sisco — May 15th, 2010 @ 11:23 am
the benefit show for danny will be friday, may 21st at cousin larry’s in danbury. hope to see you all there!
Comment by deto-22 from the AntFarm Affiliates — May 16th, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
I am not ashamed to say that reading this article welled me up a bit. I cannot say that I have had the pleasure of meeting Danny, this amazing person I keep hearing about; however, I have known his brother Eric for quite some time and I must relate that your family is absolutely inspiring! I will be at the benefit on friday and will do whatever I can to support your cause, since I too, have recently lost my father to lung cancer. I felt compelled to do my part and let you know that even people such as myself, who don’t personally know Danny, empathize and want to help. Let the love we all have for music and for each other evoke positivity at the Baby Bus Benefit!
Comment by yvonne — May 16th, 2010 @ 10:06 pm
Will you children of the Lord please pray for Danny Holt 23 yrs old and his family. I just met Danny and his father a few months ago for dinner at my house be…fore he was diagnosed. I found him to be very pleasant as is his brother Jay.(Jay is my daughter’s boyfriend) I’ve been told that he accepted the Lord as Savior. This cancer deal really breaks my heart. It would mean allot if you would pray for them and spread the word about this benefit.
Jose
Comment by Jose Sisco — May 17th, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
On behalf of the family I want to thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. Danny had another proceedure last night with no problems. He is in a GREAT mood and wants very much to attend Friday nite’s benefit. People from the I2Y Foundation will also be there with literature to educate you on what they’re doing to support all youth with cancer. can’t wait to meet them. Don’t feel sorry for DHolt because he’s not feeling sorry for himself. He has TOTAL belief in God’s word and power to heal and restore. For all he’s been thru and going thru he truly believes the scripture that proclaims “We walk by FAITH, not by SIGHT! God bless you all—see you friday nite
Comment by Greg Holt — May 18th, 2010 @ 7:26 am