Darlis Meyer - Founder/Executive Director

I have grown up and lived in Alaska most of my life. My dad was stationed at Fort Richardson when I was 10 years old (35 years ago!). It didn’t take long for my West Texas blood to acclimate to this beautiful state that I call my home and I’m so grateful this is where my children grew up.

Supporting nonprofits and helping others when I was able has always been important to me, specifically where children are concerned. I’ve never been directly involved in any capacity other than fundraising and donating so starting Katie’s Handprint was a terrifying yet (therapeutic) prospect.

I am a mother to three beautiful children. My oldest son Joshua is on the autism spectrum and one of the most pure hearted people I know. My middle son Jordan serves in the US Army and is currently stationed in Fort Stewart, Georgia. That young man makes me laugh until I can’t breathe sometimes. My youngest…my Katie…she fought an aggressive bone cancer for three years before it took her life in January 2015.

During that three year fight for Katie’s life, we met so many amazing families in similar situations to ours. Not all were displaced from home, but the vast majority lost income at a time when that income was most needed. Katie and I received assistance from an organization and quickly decided we needed to do the same once her treatment was complete and we were able to return home to Alaska. We did a major fundraiser here to help support the Jenna Westerholm Pediatric Help$ Fund through the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation. That fund supported families being treated for sarcoma cancers in the Pacific Northwest. After five years, we decided to bring it home to support Alaskan families with children in treatment for any pediatric cancer. We feel this is where we can help most.

When I’m not working or fundraising, I’m typically riding my motorcycle or spending time with my husband Howie, our four Bernese Mountain Dogs Kozmos, Dutch, Netta, Pia and Katie’s cat Nani.

My passion to make Katie’s Handprint a thriving success is a very personal one. Should you have any questions for me, please feel free to contact me.

(907) 306-6376 darlis@katieshandprint.org