Mike Russell, True Fight Co. and the UG Combine on “Chocolate Al” Shirt Fundraiser

Although Saturday’s seminar is fast approaching, it’s not the only fundraising drive currently underway to help raise money for Danny’s future medical needs, as the Underground Forums have come together to start a T-shirt drive, as well. The shirt designs are based on an image drawn by Cage Potato writer Mike Russell’s daughter in which she illustrated the time her father met former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Chocolate Al” at a seminar. It’s adorable. The image was converted into vector art by UG poster mixedmartialfarts, will be printed by MMA clothing company True Fight Co. and shipped by UG member mdotbricks. Shirts are available in three colors (powder blue, paprika and lime)  and cost $23. All money spent, minus cost of printing, paypal service charges and shipping, will be donated to Danny.

Orders will be accepted until Sunday, December 4th, and can be placed here.

As with other fundraising, the outpouring has apparently been higher than anyone dreamed possible at the creation of the idea. In fact, Chuck “Chocolate Al” Liddell himself will be signing Chocolate Al shirts for inclusion in the upcoming fundraising auction. Once again, the support has been amazing and we wish to express our deepest thanks.

Thanks to Mauro Ranallo and the MMA Show for Speaking with Dan about Danny

The MMA Show is one of the premier MMA podcasts around, hosted by famed announcer Mauro Ranallo. Yesterday the MMA Show was kind enough to have Dan on the show to talk about Danny, PKD and the upcoming fundraisers. Ranallo has been supportive of our efforts from the very first push to help spread the word and on behalf of the Foundation and Danny’s entire family we would like to extend our thanks for the opportunity to further share Danny’s story. To listen to the show, click here.

Elsewhere on the show, Ranallo spoke with MMAJunkie’s Doctor Johnny Benjamin, UFC-vet Rich Clementi and the UFC’s Marc Ratner.

For more on the MMA Show, click here to visit the show’s official web site.

Chris Weidman Joins the Super Seminar Team

The already UFC-rich roster of pros offering instruction at Saturday’s 4-hour-long super seminar (more information here) has received another boost as UFC Middleweight Chris Weidman has kindly volunteered his time to come out and assist in instructing the seminar attendees. Weidman is widely considered among the brightest young fighters in MMA, and recently improved his record to 7-0 with a first round Brabo choke victory over Tom Lawlor. The win was Weidman’s third under the UFC banner, following a submission-of-the-night guillotine choke against Jesse Bongfeldt, and a debut victory by unanimous decision in which Weidman filled in as a late replacement and halted the three-fight winning streak of Alessio Sakara.

Weidman in action against Alessio Sakara in his UFC debut.

In addition to attending the seminar and sharing tips and tricks from his impressive submission grappling arsenal, Weidman will be donating signed items to the upcoming fundraising auction. The auction will feature items from many UFC fighters as well as professional athletes from other sports, including the Philadelphia Phillies’ Shane Victorino. Follow the DJM Foundation blog and twitter for the latest developments as the auction nears.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Weidman for his contributions.

For more information on Weidman, check out his web site, twitter and facebook page.

Thank You from the Miller Family

When we launched this web site yesterday and first passed the link around we did not know what kind of response to expect. While hopes were high due to the fantastic communal spirit the MMA world has shown in the past for a worthy cause, and the fantastic friends and family who surround the Miller family, to say the outpouring of support has been overwhelming is an understatement. The past 24 hours have been an incredible example of the best of human nature and has shown once again the truly wonderful people who make up the MMA community.

Links to the Foundation and offers of support have poured in from around the world. We wish we could thank all those who helped to spread word of our efforts individually but the numbers quickly became much too large and widespread to stay on top of. Please know that every single donation, and every single post and tweet is appreciated. Whether you are family, a friend, a former opponent, a future opponent, a boss, a member of the media or somebody looking to help out a child for no reason more than the kindness in your heart, your consideration and help is truly touching and heartwarming.

Danny’s family is similarly touched by the love and consideration shown so far, and asked to post a statement for all those who have helped to date, and those intending to help in the future:

Kristin and I want to thank you for the overwhelming amount of love and support for our amazing little boy Danny. The generosity that everyone has shown leaves us speechless. We truly appreciate your heartfelt words of support for Danny and our family.

Danny also wanted to say thank you, but he got a little shy when the camera came out so he showed off his animal signs and karate skills instead.