Alex’s story is the heart of the DAS Charity. In his 21 years of life his extroverted, kindhearted and loving personality impacted many people. Alex, as he was known by family, loved helping others. He had an inquisitive mind and was incredibly gifted with his ability to connect with individuals with ASD. He had a natural ability to communicate and interact with others. Alex was talkative, fiercely independent and very articulate. He loved to read and learn. He enjoyed playing the piano, ukelele and guitar. He dreamed of traveling and backpacking the world. He was a student at Houston Christian University, where he was majoring in psychology. His career goals were to become a clinical psychologist and obtain a doctoral degree at the University of Colorado.

Alex’s dreams came to a halt in December 2021 when he was diagnosed with Leukemia. His education was paused as he was forced into chemotherapy treatment and his battle began. Alex had ups and downs during the two years of treatment. He struggled with the mental and emotional impact of his illness. He worked closely with a therapist during this time and leaned into music therapy for comfort. It was during this time that the idea of one day opening a charity was sparked. He wished to bring awareness to mental health and to help others achieve their fullest potential. It was his wish that he be remembered for the things he loved and enjoyed and not the illness that ultimately claimed his life.

It is the mission of DAS Charity to fulfill Alex’s wishes and remain true to his vision for the organization. For that reason, the Charity seeks to provide scholarships to individuals regardless of religious beliefs, political ideologies, race and/or background. DAS seeks to see the person behind the face and focus on the things that unify people rather than focus on the differences.