Our Story
In memory of Daniel Phelps
In December 2015, we lost Daniel Ryan Phelps, son of Jim and Mary Phelps, brother to Christopher, Kristen, and Michael, and a friend to more people than he ever knew. He was 27 years old.
A military kid who moved nine times before turning nineteen, Daniel had a gift for walking into a new place and making it feel like home. He earned a Division I soccer scholarship to the University of Washington, wore #19, and graduated from the Foster School of Business in 2010. A three-time Pac-10 All-Academic First Team honoree, he excelled as an athlete and a scholar. But his greatest achievement was the way he made everyone around him better: a natural motivator, a loyal friend, and an extraordinary human being.
Daniel had just returned to Seattle to reconnect with college friends and start a new chapter. He was in the prime of his life, and his spirit, charisma, and love for people left a mark that will never fade.
Our journey
DP Open
We launched our charity golf tournament at Washington National, bringing Daniel's friends and family together to share memories and celebrate a life well lived. From the start, all proceeds went directly to the Nick of Time Foundation, fueling their free youth heart screening program at local high schools, a partnership we proudly continue to this day.
DP Night
We partnered with UW Men's Soccer to dedicate an annual October match, during Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, to Daniel's memory. Each year, DP Night brings fans together to honor Daniel, raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, and teach CPR and AED use to the community.
DP Foundation
We formalized our mission by establishing the DP Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to saving and supporting lives in Daniel's memory. We began by placing AEDs in our community, in gyms, churches, schools, nonprofits, golf courses, sports clubs, and more. Since then, we've expanded the program across the country.
DP Gala
Ten years after losing Daniel, we launched the DP Gala, a celebration of his life, his legacy, and the community that has rallied around his memory.
"From everyone who has donated, teed it up at the DP Open, cheered at DP Night, raised a paddle at the Gala, volunteered their time, or stepped up as a sponsor, thank you. None of this happens without you. Together, we've already helped save three lives, a soccer player, a hockey player, and a flag football player, and your belief in what we're building keeps Daniel's memory alive."
Adam Lang, President & FounderMeet our team
Adam Lang
Adam and Daniel were teammates at the University of Washington. They lived together, trained together, and studied together, becoming the closest of friends. When Daniel passed, Adam channeled that loss into action, founding the DP Foundation to carry on his legacy and help save lives in his memory.
Nick Loveless
Nick and Daniel were teammates at the University of Washington, and that bond has carried into everything Nick does for the foundation. From event planning to building relationships with partners, local businesses, and sponsors, Nick brings tireless energy and dedication to keeping Daniel's memory alive.
Joy Cruz
A sudden cardiac arrest survivor himself, Joy is a passionate advocate for SCA awareness who shares his story at cardiac conferences. He brings a strong background in CPR and AED training to educate and empower communities to act when it matters most.
Dirk Metzler
A sudden cardiac arrest survivor himself, Dirk brings lived experience and genuine passion to everything the foundation does. A dedicated advocate for CPR training and blood donation, he works tirelessly to spread awareness and save lives in Daniel's memory.