Dan Newlin’s Charity Brings Joy to Cancer Kids

It seemed natural that famed Central Florida attorney Dan Newlin should team up with founder of Hugz from Bugz, Chad Ebbert, to host a Princess Party for 8-year-old Marlie, a pediatric patient at Arnold Palmer Hospital, dying of brain cancer. After all, Newlin thrives on giving back to the community as evidenced by The Dan Newlin Miracle Project–but more on that later.

And so, Marlie was honored with a community Princess Party for several hours on Saturday, at the Orlando All Stars Cheer-leading facility on Hemple Avenue in Gotha.  While in the end she was too ill to attend, several other kids battling leukemia were among the 100 or so party-goers who were present.

“Today is a beautiful day because we celebrate the lives of so many children that are battling cancer,” a beaming Newlin said. “We believe that these events can bring smiles, laughter and hope to children in very difficult times.”

In typical Newlin fashion, nothing is spared when it comes to the kids. The Princess Party featured a castle mid way, prince and princess staff, a strolling magician, mini-gymnastic classes, face painting, a concert with Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift aspirants — Noah and Taylor (yes, her name is Taylor too), court jesters, pony rides and topped off with a limo ride for all the princesses.  Such a party would not be complete too, without pop corn, cotton candy, cup cakes, Port a Pit BBQ and more!  It was difficult to tell who was having more fun–Newlin or the kids.

Newlin said he teamed up with Hugz from Bugz because he was inspired by Ebbert’s daughter who also had cancer, but is now cancer free.

“When I met Chad and his family and saw what they were going through and what little things we could do and how they brought smiles to the family, I thought we could do this on a bigger scale,” he said. “So teaming up with Chad and being a part of his organization is a great honor.”

Borne out of Ebbert daughter’s diagnosis with ALL (Acute lymphobastic leukemia) three years ago, Hugz from Bugz aims to give back to families having to cope with childhood cancer. The one-year old non-profit organization receives its support from Dan Newlin and Partners and an annual golf and bowling tournament, Ebbert said.

Newlin sees ‘The Dan Newlin Miracle Project,’ founded last fall on behalf of Ron, who was battling brain cancer and couldn’t afford medical treatment, as a natural ally of Hugz from Bugz.  He wants to work closely with the organization and others, teaming up with the Arnold Palmer Hospital to bring hope to children.

“We were able to raise significant funds to get him (Ron) the care and treatment he needed,” he said. “We did something called Ron’s story….and he is still alive today, a lot of it credited to the people that were involved in The Dan Newlin Miracle Project.”

Marlie’s prognosis though, would be different from Ron’s. After her third bout of chemotherapy Marlie and her mom recently met with the doctors and have decided that she is finished with chemo. She has only a few weeks to live, according to her doctors.

“We just found out on Friday that Marlie was too ill to attend her Princess Party,” Ebbert said. “But I told Dan we would still go on with the day in her honor and I am glad we were able to do that.”

The scores of kids who attended Marlie’s Princess Party, tastefully organized by Paula Wyatt of Posh Able Events, were glad too!

But perhaps Newlin summed up the day best this way:

“One of the true inspirations of my life is my daughter Alexis, knowing that she is healthy and watching her grow, and my girlfriend’s daughter, Valerie,” he said. “Watching those two girls together and seeing how we as a community, as adults, can make a difference in kids’ lives who are going through terrible circumstances, is so important to me and the greatest gift I can give.”

Newlin is not only revered by the kids. Earlier this year he won a $24 million dollar judgement for the estate and survivors of a police officer, gunned down three years ago in Central Florida.