Darlis Meyer - Founder/Executive Director

I have spent most of my life in Alaska, moving here when my father was stationed at Fort Richardson 41 years ago when I was ten.  It didn’t take long for my West Texas blood to acclimate to Alaska, and I am thankful that my children also had the opportunity to grow up in this magnificent state.

 Contributing to nonprofits, especially those aiding children, has always been a significant part of my life. Although my involvement was limited to fundraising and donations, founding Katie’s Handprint was a daunting yet healing endeavor.

 I am the mother of three wonderful children. My eldest, Joshua, is on the autism spectrum and is one of the kindest people I know. My second son, Jordan, is serving in the US Army, stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and he has an incredible sense of humor. My youngest, Katie, bravely battled aggressive bone cancer for three years before passing away in January 2015.

 During Katie's treatment, we encountered many incredible families facing challenges similar to ours. While not all were away from their homes, most experienced a loss of income when it was most needed. Receiving support from an organization during that time inspired us to give back. After returning to Alaska, we organized a significant fundraiser for the Jenna Westerholm Pediatric Help$ Fund through the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation, which aids families dealing with sarcoma cancers in the Pacific Northwest. After five years, we shifted our focus to supporting Alaskan families with children undergoing treatment for any pediatric cancer, feeling a strong connection to help locally.

When I'm not working or fundraising, I enjoy riding my motorcycle or spending time with my husband, Howie, our three Bernese Mountain Dogs—Dutch, Netta, Pia—and Katie’s cat, Nani. Driven by a deep personal commitment, I am passionate about making Katie’s Handprint a success. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

(907) 306-6376 darlis@katieshandprint.org