The Dan Brown Legacy Fund was born in the hearts of Fresno State head football coach Pat Hill and the family of the late Bulldog defensive coordinator Dan Brown. The fund was established to honor Dan’s fight against brain cancer and to help support the work of the Central California Neuroscience Institute at Community Regional Medical Center.

Growing up with 14 brothers and sisters in southern California, Dan was a man of family, friends and faith. A football standout in high school and college, he later went on to a stellar professional and college coaching career – with 12 of those years spent by coach Hill’s side.

Hill said now it’s his turn to stand by Brown’s.

“What he went through his last two years, and now being able to start a legacy fund that could help people that are maybe going to be dealing with the same things that Dan did, and maybe be able to make it through it – that would be a great feeling, to be a part of helping other people’s lives.”

Making the first gift in remembrance of his friend, Coach Hill pledged his support to the Dan Brown Legacy Fund for neurological excellence at Community Regional.

Whether it was Brown’s dedication to his wife Mindy, his six children and two grandchildren or his family on the football field, many knew Brown as a “class act.” Players said he told them to not let any challenges hold them back. And he was no different when he came up against his ultimate challenge – brain cancer. Players, colleagues and friends say he handled that the way he handled many things, without complaint and with faith.

Looking forward - Dan’s legacy
He battled long and hard but after a two-year fight with the disease, Dan’s cancer claimed his life in 2009. The Dan Brown Legacy Fund was established to honor Dan’s fight against brain cancer and to ensure others would not have to travel out of town – like Dan did – to receive the highest level of care. The vision of the Dan Brown Legacy Fund is clear – to continue bringing world-class care, top physicians and leading-edge technology to the Central Valley while honoring a man who gave so much to so many.

Carrying the vision forward
Generous gifts from donor-investors are building a comprehensive neuroscience program of international caliber. Coach Hill’s inaugural gift is a call to others who knew and loved Dan and who also want their chance to stand by his side … to establish his legacy of helping others with neurological diseases or disorders.

To learn more about how you can give to Dan Brown’s legacy, call Community Medical Foundation at (559) 457-2670 or e-mail Foundation@CommunityMedical.org.

Community Medical Foundation’s Encore philanthropic group is a group of young professionals dedicated to supporting the mission of Community Medical Centers.