John Daly

Hi. My name is John Daly, and I am raising money for the Olivia Chan Foundation in the 2025 L5 Investments Capital Cup.

 The loss of our son almost seven years ago left our family devastated, struggling through crushing grief with few resources to guide us through that nightmare. When I heard Reina and Mel Chan's story of losing their nine-year-old daughter Olivia in 2022, I was deeply moved by their similar experience and their determination to help others facing the same unimaginable pain. The Olivia Chan Foundation addresses a critical need—providing support for children and teenagers as they process the grief and turmoil of losing someone close to them. Having walked this difficult path ourselves, I know firsthand how vital these resources are.

Participating in the Capital Cup gives me the opportunity to support this meaningful cause while being part of something larger than myself. This tournament transforms the traditional Ryder Cup format into a powerful force for good, bringing Sacramento leaders together for three days of spirited competition that has raised more than $18 million for deserving charities. What started with an ambitious goal of $250,000 in its first year has grown exponentially, with the winning team's charities now sharing a $100,000 prize fund. By competing in the Capital Cup for the Olivia Chan Foundation, I can honor our son's memory while helping ensure that other families facing sudden loss have the support and resources we wished we'd had during our darkest days.

Please join me in supporting the Olivia Chan Foundation through the Capital Cup. Your contribution will help provide essential grief support services to children and families during their most difficult moments, ensuring no family has to navigate this journey alone.

Below is Reina and Mel Chan's story about their foundation—what they're doing, and what they hope to achieve in the future.  

Why We Started the Olivia Chan Foundation

On December 9, 2012, our lives changed forever when Olivia was born. From the very beginning, she was pure joy. Curious, kind, and fearless. She filled our world with laughter, love, and light.

On January 17, 2022, Olivia was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. Three days later, she passed away. The grief was suffocating and we were overwhelmed by the lack of support available for children and families like ours.

That's why we started the Olivia Chan Foundation, to create the kind of safe, compassionate space we wish we had. Our mission is simple: to help others who are grieving feel less alone. Through peer to peer grief support programs, connection, and healing spaces, we share Olivia’s light with families navigating the darkest days of their lives.

What We’re Doing Right Now

Since launching in 2023, we’ve opened a temporary grief center in Sacramento, currently operating two days a month, serving 7 families. We offer peer support groups for children and teens, using art and games to teach coping skills and create a safe space to talk about their loved ones.

Our Vision: A Permanent Grief Center

We’re building a dedicated, year-round grief center for kids, teens, and families. A warm, welcoming space where:

• Kids can create, play, and process loss in age-appropriate peer groups
• Teens can talk openly without judgment
• Families can connect with others walking the same road
• Grief Expression Rooms led by trained facilitators:
• Caregiver Circles: Guided support for parents and adults
• Drop-in Resources: Immediate support—no wait lists, no referrals

Why Now. Why Sacramento.

1 in 12 children in the U.S. will lose a parent or sibling before they turn 18. In Sacramento, that’s thousands of kids carrying invisible grief into classrooms, sports teams, and homes.

But local grief support is hard to find. It’s often short-term, seasonal, and full of wait lists. Grief doesn’t work like that, and we know this firsthand.

With Your Support, We Will:

• Triple the number of children and families we serve each year
• Expand from 2 days/month to being open daily
• Hire experienced staff to lead support groups and grow our services
• Partner with schools, hospitals, and social workers for early outreach
• Offer all services free of charge to ensure access for all

Join Us

We have the vision. We have the heart. We have the need.

Now we need your help to bring it to life.

Let’s open the doors to a space where Olivia’s light continues to shine—and where every grieving child knows they're not alone.