Hoosier Cancer Research Network mourns the loss of Donald C. “Danny” Danielson, who died this morning at his home in New Castle, Ind., at the age of 95.

“Danny Danielson was a remarkable man whose visionary leadership transformed organizations in the State of Indiana and beyond,” said HCRN Chairman Christopher A. Fausel, PharmD. “We are deeply grateful for Danny’s long service on the Board of Directors of the Walther Cancer Foundation, and for his generous support to the Hoosier Cancer Research Network through the Foundation.”

Danielson was well known for his business leadership and philanthropy. He began a long and rewarding career with Modernfold, Inc., in 1948, in charge of sales, and later served as president of the company, based in New Castle, Ind. During his tenure at Modernfold, Danielson led the development of a new industry whose product, the Modernfold Door, transformed the way businesses, schools, and churches utilized interior space.

A career move in 1976 led Danielson to City Securities Corporation in Indianapolis, where he served as vice chairman since 1981. At City Securities, he led a succession plan for CEO and president that selected leaders who have more than doubled revenues and earnings.

Danielson held prominent roles in a number of national organizations, including chairman of the National Board of Trustees of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from 1983-1987, during a time when the ministry more than doubled in size. He was appointed in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush to the Credit Standards Advisory Committee.

[Photo: Danny Danielson receives the 2013 Terry Hoeppner Patient Advocacy Award from Dr. Patrick J. Loehrer, Sr. The award is given annually by HCRN.]

Within the State of Indiana, Danielson received two Sagamore of the Wabash awards, and in 2009, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels named him the recipient of the Sachem Award, the state’s highest honor given annually in recognition of a lifetime of excellence and personal virtue that reflects credit and honor upon the state. He was the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Healthcare Heroes Recipient in 2004 and was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Central Indiana Business Hall of Fame in 2010. Most recently, Danielson was named an Indiana Living Legend in 2014 by the Indiana Historical Society.

A committed champion for the institutions and organizations that have made an impact in his own life, Danielson’s philosophy on giving was both simple and profound, as he shared during an interview with HCRN in 2014: “I ask myself, ‘Have I benefitted from this organization?’ And if so, shouldn’t I feel some obligation to give back?”

This philosophy guided Danielson to support his alma mater in numerous ways over the years, serving as a member of the Indiana University board of trustees from 1959-1980 and as chairman of the board for 11 years. He served as vice chairman of the Campaign for Indiana and co-chairman of the Endowment Campaign for Indiana University, both of which far exceeded fundraising goals.

[Photo: Danny Danielson is pictured in 2014 with Safi Shahda, MD, the first recipient of the Danny Danielson Translational Innovation Award.]

Together with his wife Patty, who passed away in December 2013, Danielson was a strong supporter of the city of New Castle. Patty was a significant catalyst in the growth of the Henry County Community Foundation, and served on its board until 2006. During that time, the Danielsons led the campaigns to establish the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the IU East satellite campus in New Castle, and the new Henry County YMCA. The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame dedicated the Patty and Danny Danielson Theatre in June 2014 in recognition of the Danielsons’ long-standing support.

Danielson’s support for cancer research came through his friendship with Dr. Joseph Walther. In 1985, Danielson assisted with the sale of Winona Memorial Hospital, which Dr. Walther founded in 1956, and joined the board of directors of the newly formed Walther Cancer Institute (now Walther Cancer Foundation).

Danielson became well acquainted with Hoosier Cancer Research Network through his association with the Foundation and the physicians who sat on the Foundation’s board.

“I got to know Dr. Bill Fisher and Dr. Pat Loehrer when I went on the board at Walther, which was funding Hoosier Oncology Group at that time,” said Danielson in 2014. “I could see the benefits of what the HOG was doing. Through HOG we had these clinical trials going on at various locations around the state, and it would grow a little every year. It was exciting to see.”

[Photo, from left: Danny Danielson, William B. Fisher, MD, Patrick J. Loehrer, Sr., MD]

Danielson supported Hoosier Cancer Research Network through the Danny Danielson Translational Innovation Award, which he established in 2013 through the Walther Cancer Foundation. The $10,000 award, given twice each year, provides funding to investigators working in partnership with HCRN to support the correlative components of clinical trial protocols when financial support is not otherwise available.

Hoosier Cancer Research Network honored Danielson as the recipient of the 2013 Terry Hoeppner Patient Advocacy Award.

Danielson’s experience with cancer became personal when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer at the age of 88. He underwent surgery to remove his bladder and a new bladder was constructed out of tissue from his small intestine. After five years of follow-up, the cancer had not recurred. Danielson credited Dr. Michael Koch, chair of the Department of Urology at Indiana University School of Medicine, with saving his life.

Watch Danielson’s 2014 Living Legends video, produced by WFYI.

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:

Hoosier Cancer Research Network (formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group) conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has initiated more than 150 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 300 publications. More than 4,600 subjects have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.