Donny Osmond Makes Lifetime Dream Come True for North Fork Woman Battling Cancer

SOUTHOLD, NY- Since she was diagnosed with cancer last month, Southold’s Danielle Harrison-Meraz has remained steadfastly positive, facing the future with hope and her trademark cheer.

And despite a stream of doctor’s appointments, radiation and chemotherapy to treat cancer of the brain, lungs, and spleen, Harrison-Meraz has stayed true to her deep-seated love of music, listening to an iPod while in treatment — and even heading out to hear a favorite band play.

This week, Harrison-Meraz saw a lifelong dream come true when she went to a Donny Osmond concert at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington — and got to meet her childhood idol in person, even posing for a photo with the star.

“I have always been a fan, since I was a little girl,” she said. “I always loved purple because of him. I loved that no matter how big he or his family got, they lived clean lives. His music always makes me happy.”

The concert, she said, was “a dream come true,” thanks to her friend Rose Calabrese Jaworecki, who gave her the ticket and arranged the night, and her friend Stacey Morrison, who brought her to the venue. Harrison-Meraz also thanked her brother Jim Harrison, for his help in making it a night to remember.

“I have the best family and friends. And that was definitely one of my top five nights ever,” she said.

The love of family, friends and the community has been strong, as scores have rallied to Harrison-Meraz’s side, organizing a fundraiser, a GoFundMe page and creating a bank account to help Harrison-Meraz, who has limited insurance, with funds for mounting medical expenses. She is unable to work or drive due to the fear of seizures.

They’ve created bracelets to raise funds, adorned with the words #Team Danielle, which are a flurry of bright messages of love on Facebook and social media, as well as T-shirts, sporting Harrison-Meraz’s signature words of hope: “Be grateful. Always.”

After being given a #Team Danielle bracelet at the concert, Donny Osmond gave Harrison-Meraz some loving words of encouragement as she faces her battle: “He told me, ‘God’s got this’ and to stay strong in my faith,” she said, adding, “He’s a good hugger.”

The fundraiser for Harrison-Meraz will take place on Sunday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Greenport Firehouse on Third Street, featuring music, a 50/50 and a Chinese auction, with a suggested donation of $25.

A nonprofit has been set up and registered with the county to help Harrison-Meraz. Checks can be made payable to “Friends of Danielle Harrison-Meraz” and mailed to Bridgehampton National Bank, PO Box 1567, Southold, NY 11971.

Finally, a new event has been planned by Kait’s Angels, an organization that performs acts of kindness in memory of Kaitlyn Doorhy, 20, of Mattituck who lost her life at 20 while away at college. The Kait’s Angels Yogurt Bowl, with ice cream, frozen yogurt and a DJ, will be held on February 6 from 3 to 10 p.m. at Yogurt Expressions in Mattituck. The event features a free will donation, with all proceeds to benefit Harrison-Meraz. Yogurt Expressions is located at 13175 Main Road in Mattituck.

Patch photo courtesy of Danielle Harrison-Meraz