Dana was the offensive coordinator for the NC State Wolfpack when in the middle of the season on a November night just before Thanksgiving he was told he had acute promyeloctyic leukemia. That week NC State was scheduled to play Virginia Tech on the road. As the team departed for Blacksburg, Dana was taken to the hospital for the start of a 30-day regimen of intensive treatment.
The follow-up treatment came later and included chemotherapy five days a week for five weeks during the Wolfpack’s spring practice the following year. Dana was determined not to miss a practice, so after his treatment he would show up and give his players the best he had.
Through it all Dana never surrendered any of his responsibilities as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers coach. His presence at practice and determination to keep moving forward served as an inspiration to the entire team.
