For those interested, here's just a bit about me.
I am an Industrial Designer. I've worked in a variety of industries, including automotive, toys, education, telecom, medical, consumer products, marine and even some aerospace.
Currently, I'm trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
I lost my father to Leukemia when I was 13. I got involved in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Leukemia Cup Regatta held in San Diego each year. We had entered my boat in the San Diego Yachting Cup in 1999. My skipper's packet came with information about this charity regatta held in conjunction with the Yachting Cup. I was reluctant at first as I have never been very good at asking for money. Still, the week of the race I decided to try to raise a few bucks and enter the race. To my surprise, $1000 came fairly easily. After the race, when the fundraising totals were announced, the top fundraiser, a very well known and well to do man, had managed to raise $10k. Quite frankly, when I saw that, it was Game On! I may be just a bit on the competetive side. Must be the Choctaw in me.
As you can probably tell, I am passionate about sprint cars and racing sailboats.
All of my boats have been named James Earl...after my dad. We had 3 dreams when I was young. Race the Baja, see the country by motorcycle and sail across the ocean. I've travelled the country, raced Baja and sailed the Great Lakes and the Coast of California aboard the James Earl.
Of course, I can't forget my buddy Howie. He's a Dane, Rott, Pit mix. I know that sounds scary but he's about as big o' baby as you can find.
As mentioned before, I LOVE Sprint Cars. So, I have to encourage you to do the coolest thing of all time. You have to enroll in
This is by far the most fun thing I think I have ever done. Do youself a favor and head on out to Ventura Raceway for an evening of some of the best non winged sprint car racing you'll ever see and then head on back the next morning for Cory's School. The track is right on the beach and it just doesn't get any better.
I even travelled the country working on Kraco's Indy Car Team
Of course, all of this is fun, but what I want you to know about me most is my faith. I am who I am by the Grace of God who loved me so incredibly much that He made a way for me to be reconciled to Him when I couldn't do that on my own. I, like you, have messed up a ton. But Jesus gave Himself up on the cross so that you and I could have life. Not just in Heaven but here...now. Because of God's mercy and forgiveness, I am free. Free from the constant burden of feeling inadequate. Free to love unconditionally. Free to know "if God is for me. who can be against me." Free to live every day to its fullest because I know exactly what I am on earth to do. And THAT, is pretty dang cool!
by Dale Frye
by Dale Frye
benefiting the
Tony Jones in the Alexander Car
The J105- "Mischief" from SoCal
Maybe your boat should be here
Current Tally
1999- $1,000
2000- $12,135
2001- $10,277
2002- $14,560
2003- $20,073
2004- $24,710
2005- $14,500
2006- $18,635
Total- $115,888
2007- $9,725
Goal- $10,000
Hi there, and welcome. This website exists for the purpose of utilizing the gifts, given to me by God, in the pursuit of making a positive difference in lives of many. As one who has lost friends and loved ones to blood cancers I have chosen
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
as the primary beneficiary of this site and my artwork.
It is my hope that in some small way, what you find on these pages might inspire you to action. Whether it be through the purchase of prints from my site or through your own efforts to get involved in your own community, I guarantee, YOU can make a difference.
On the following pages, you will find artwork that I have created over the years . Most of my work revolves around two of my passions, Sprint Cars and Sailboats.
I have prints available of just about every piece of art you'll find on this site. All of it is offered in exchange for donations to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society . Please click on the "Order Info" button on the right to learn how to order prints.
I am often asked why I work so hard at this. The truth is, just about every year I say to myself, "it's time to take a break." Many of my friends and family offer the same counsel.
Last year alone, about 35,000 families sat down in their doctor's office and heard those frightening words "Mr & Mrs Jones, your child has Leukemia." Last year, 23,000 lost their fight...nearly 10% were children. Currently, about 750,000 people in the US are battling Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma. Every 5 minutes someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies. In the past year alone, two of my friends lost family members and two more had family members diagnosed with blood cancers.
As tragic as this disease is, I find myself excited to be a small part of the phenominal progress in treatments. Last year nearly 1100 sailors raised close to $2,000,000 by participating in Leukemia Cup Regattas across the country. I have participated in 8 of these regattas since 1999. With your help, I have handed over $115,000 to the society. Since 1995,
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
has funded more that $314 million in research. Most importantly, it is working. Survival rates have doubled or even tripled over the past 40 years.
Absolutely, the road is steep and tiring. But the vistas are getting more and more beautiful as we push farther up the road.
I was at a racetrack a few years back. I had my tables set up with all my racing artwork displayed
around. While I was there, a
young boy and his dad walked
up. They had seen the Society
banners and were curious. As
they got closer, I noticed the
young boy's hair was thinning
and splotchy. The lump in my
throat was thickening. His father asked about my tables,
artwork and what I was doing there. I explained how I do the artwork of their favorite drivers and then come to the
tracks and offer them in exchange for donations to
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
. His father went
on to explain that his son had ALL, Acute Lymphocytic
Leukemia.
Hopeful, I asked his father how his treatment
was coming. He indicated that the outlook was very good.
I turned my eyes to the young boy. He looked up at me, with crackling voice and watering eyes, and simply said "thank you". That moment will remain as one of my most
cherished memories. A momentary vista. It's moments
like those that compel me to continually stretch beyond my comfort zone in hopes of creatively reaching out to my community, providing opportunities to engage in this
battle.
It is the progress that society funded researchers have made that fuels my passion for this cause. It is the faces of little children overcoming this disease that swells my heart with hope. Tired? Sure I am. But the promise of the next vista is just too intoxicating.
As mentioned before, it is my hope that this website might capture just a bit of your imagination; that your imagination would spark you into action. Even if the action you take is directed towards another cause that resonates with you. Yes, we are all tired and busy. Yes, we all have a million reasons why we can't "get involved". Still, that road stands ahead. Why do I continue to take on this long steep road? I do it for my friend Steve who recently lost his mother. I do it for my friend Jared who lost his dad earlier this year. I do it for Val and her boys who just a few short years ago were forced to face a future without Gary. I do it for my buddy Bill back in CA who lost his dad. I do it for precious little MacKenzie who is struggling to hang on to life. I do it because of the love I have for my own dad who left us when I was just a boy. I do it because of my love for young Kelsey who shows us hope through her own personal victory over this disease. I do it for the promise of many more beautiful vistas; moments where I have the rare opportunity to look into the eyes of someone who may beat this disease in some small part because I chose to continue on the road. I do it in hopes that you too will be able to share the view from the next vista. And believe me, once you've seen them, you'll agree that the climb, while hard, is worth every step.
I hope you decide to travel a section of this road with me.
As mentioned below, I'm an Industrial Designer. Please click the button below to have a look at samples of my work experience
Please feel free to email me with any questions
