Our Mission
Anyone fortunate enough to have called Dan Zolotorofe a family member or friend knows that Dan lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every day until his health complications cut his time too short.
He was the type of person who went out of his way to befriend everyone and anyone. Throughout his life, he never lost an old friend, but was constantly adding new ones. With the utmost compassion, the biggest heart, and an unforgettable sense of humor, Dan was able to brighten even the darkest of days. And during his darkest, he would crack a joke instead of complaining, because he wanted you to feel better. He was truly one of a kind.
We knew that Dan would want us to carry on his legacy by helping others in need. He would have wanted us to channel the immense pain felt by so many when we lost him into something positive. And so, The DZ Foundation was born, in loving memory of Dan.
The DZ Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for juvenile diabetes research, and through a heartwarming showing of generosity from those near and far whose lives Dan has touched, we have been able to fund a research grant in Dan's name through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Additionally, we award an annual memorial scholarship to a graduating senior at Mahwah High School, Dan's alma mater, who exemplifies outstanding leadership skills.
We thank you for your continued support and for helping us keep Dan's memory alive.
With love,
The DZ Foundation
Dan's Story
Daniel Max-Goldman Zolotorofe was born on March 24, 1991 to David and Jill Zolotorofe. Daniel joined his two sisters, Jessica and Allison. Dan was the final addition to the Zolotorofe family--finally a baby boy for Dad! Dan spent his first five years living in Suffern, NY, playing sports (albeit not very well), following his favorite pro teams at an early age, and spending as much time as possible with his friends and family. Dan attended Temple Beth El Nursery School and Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School. In 1997 the Zolotorofes moved to Mahwah, NJ where Dan entered the Mahwah Public Schools. He was living a happy and normal life.
On April 2, 2001--about one week after his 10th birthday--Dan went to the pediatrician to discuss some concerns his mother had. He was experiencing fatigue, excessive thirst and frequent urination, which she had noticed over the course of a few weeks. After a quick blood test, the diagnosis was made and Dan was sent directly to Hackensack University Medical Center to begin initial treatment for Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes (truth be told, Dan and his parents asked the doctors permission to go to the NETS game that night--Dan loved the Nets-- and check into the hospital first thing in the morning).
After three days in the hospital and countless hours of training and education, Dan was released to live his life with many new challenges and obstacles.
True to form, Dan took his diagnosis in stride. He never once shed a tear or asked why me? but instead saw his diabetes as another challenge to overcome. Dan remained active, whether it was school, camp, organized sports or a standing afternoon basketball game in his driveway with all the neighborhood boys. In 2001 Dan began attending Ramaquois Day Camp (after years at Blue Rill Nursery Camp and Tranquility Sleep-Away Camp). Dan and his entire family also became very involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), raising over $100,000 through their walk team Dan's Diabetes Destroyers.
School came fairly easy to Dan, as he always achieved good grades and maintained a positive attitude. He truly enjoyed getting up and going to school each day. He earned a reputation for being outspoken, bright, a class clown, a positive thinker, a dedicated friend, a leader and an overall well-rounded kid who always had a smile on his face.
By the time Dan entered high school, his diabetes management had become a part of his daily routine. He never allowed diabetes to get in the way of his social life, his academics, his athletics or his life goals. Dan sailed through his first three years of high school without much difficulty. His diabetes was well managed, his grades remained stellar, and his group of friends stayed as close as ever, despite some of them going to different high schools and having varied after-school obligations. Dan played Freshman basketball and Jr. Varsity and Varsity tennis.
Senior year of high school came around and Dan made two bold decisions. First, he was going to run for (and win) the position of President of Mahwah High Schools Executive Student Council. Secondly, he was going to stop playing tennis and instead was going to tryout for the Varsity baseball team (a sport he hadnt played since recreational league). With as much determination as a person can have, Dan accomplished both goals and proved to everyone that anything he set his mind to was likely to happen. As Student Council President, Dan accomplished a lot. He was a true leader and quickly became the poster boy for Mahwah Pride and Spirit.
Senior year brought with it the stress of SATs, college applications and big decisions. Dan had his heart set on the University of Maryland. UMD had the academic reputation he knew he deserved, an active social scene, and the Terps sports program that gave him yet another opportunity to show his spirit and dedication as a fan. As with most things in Dans life, he accomplished his goal and was accepted as a member of the University of Maryland Class of 2013. He felt able to relax and really enjoy the remainder of his final year at Mahwah High School. A year he often said was the best year of his life.
May came around and senior year was finally coming to a close. Dan went to see his endocrinologist for his quarterly check-up and some routine blood work. A day later he received a call that his tests had come back and that he would need to immediately return to Hackensack University Medical Center. Upon arriving for another hospital stay, Dan was informed of two new diagnoses, Addisons disease and Hashimotos Disease. Addisons is an autoimmune disease that affected his adrenal system and Hashimotos affected his thyroid. After several days in the hospital, and a host of new medications, Dan returned once again to life with new challenges. But nothing slowed him down; Dan completed his senior year and went on to begin his college experience at UMD.
University of Maryland was everything Dan could have hoped for. He made friends quickly, got good grades and pledged Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity his freshman year. He found a course of studies that fit his interests and was on track to graduate in 2013 with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Leadership Studies. During his first year, Dan lived in an off-campus apartment with 3 roommates; second year in the TKE Frat House with 40 of his brothers; and this year in an off-campus house with 3 of his brothers. Dan became an active member of the TKE Executive Board and recently began strategizing his campaign to become his chapters president next year. He also started talking about going to law school. As Dan would often say, Theres no place Id rather be than at the University of Maryland. Things were really looking good!
In early August of this year, Dan was involved in a serious car accident. He fractured his spine, spent a week in the hospital and had to wear a body brace for 8 weeks. But of course that didnt stop him. Dan returned to Maryland a little beat-up, but intent on getting through this setback. He struggled a bit with his health and the management of his diseases. On Sunday, October 30, Dan was not feeling well. On Monday morning his symptoms were getting much worse. As Dans blood sugar level was rising, he went into Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which caused his potassium levels to rise and his blood pressure to drop dramatically. Dans sister, Alli, rushed to his house and called an ambulance. Just before the ambulance arrived, Dan stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. Dan never regained consciousness and passed away at 11:40 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011 with his family by his side. Over 750 people attended Daniels funeral, a fitting tribute to a very special person.
Dan's legacy is simple: friends and family above all else. He loved and was loved by so many. Dan was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend. He will be in our hearts forever and will be sorely missed every day.
Dan's motto: "CLEAR EYES, FULL HEART, CANT LOSE"
On April 2, 2001--about one week after his 10th birthday--Dan went to the pediatrician to discuss some concerns his mother had. He was experiencing fatigue, excessive thirst and frequent urination, which she had noticed over the course of a few weeks. After a quick blood test, the diagnosis was made and Dan was sent directly to Hackensack University Medical Center to begin initial treatment for Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes (truth be told, Dan and his parents asked the doctors permission to go to the NETS game that night--Dan loved the Nets-- and check into the hospital first thing in the morning).
After three days in the hospital and countless hours of training and education, Dan was released to live his life with many new challenges and obstacles.
True to form, Dan took his diagnosis in stride. He never once shed a tear or asked why me? but instead saw his diabetes as another challenge to overcome. Dan remained active, whether it was school, camp, organized sports or a standing afternoon basketball game in his driveway with all the neighborhood boys. In 2001 Dan began attending Ramaquois Day Camp (after years at Blue Rill Nursery Camp and Tranquility Sleep-Away Camp). Dan and his entire family also became very involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), raising over $100,000 through their walk team Dan's Diabetes Destroyers.
School came fairly easy to Dan, as he always achieved good grades and maintained a positive attitude. He truly enjoyed getting up and going to school each day. He earned a reputation for being outspoken, bright, a class clown, a positive thinker, a dedicated friend, a leader and an overall well-rounded kid who always had a smile on his face.
By the time Dan entered high school, his diabetes management had become a part of his daily routine. He never allowed diabetes to get in the way of his social life, his academics, his athletics or his life goals. Dan sailed through his first three years of high school without much difficulty. His diabetes was well managed, his grades remained stellar, and his group of friends stayed as close as ever, despite some of them going to different high schools and having varied after-school obligations. Dan played Freshman basketball and Jr. Varsity and Varsity tennis.
Senior year of high school came around and Dan made two bold decisions. First, he was going to run for (and win) the position of President of Mahwah High Schools Executive Student Council. Secondly, he was going to stop playing tennis and instead was going to tryout for the Varsity baseball team (a sport he hadnt played since recreational league). With as much determination as a person can have, Dan accomplished both goals and proved to everyone that anything he set his mind to was likely to happen. As Student Council President, Dan accomplished a lot. He was a true leader and quickly became the poster boy for Mahwah Pride and Spirit.
Senior year brought with it the stress of SATs, college applications and big decisions. Dan had his heart set on the University of Maryland. UMD had the academic reputation he knew he deserved, an active social scene, and the Terps sports program that gave him yet another opportunity to show his spirit and dedication as a fan. As with most things in Dans life, he accomplished his goal and was accepted as a member of the University of Maryland Class of 2013. He felt able to relax and really enjoy the remainder of his final year at Mahwah High School. A year he often said was the best year of his life.
May came around and senior year was finally coming to a close. Dan went to see his endocrinologist for his quarterly check-up and some routine blood work. A day later he received a call that his tests had come back and that he would need to immediately return to Hackensack University Medical Center. Upon arriving for another hospital stay, Dan was informed of two new diagnoses, Addisons disease and Hashimotos Disease. Addisons is an autoimmune disease that affected his adrenal system and Hashimotos affected his thyroid. After several days in the hospital, and a host of new medications, Dan returned once again to life with new challenges. But nothing slowed him down; Dan completed his senior year and went on to begin his college experience at UMD.
University of Maryland was everything Dan could have hoped for. He made friends quickly, got good grades and pledged Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity his freshman year. He found a course of studies that fit his interests and was on track to graduate in 2013 with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Leadership Studies. During his first year, Dan lived in an off-campus apartment with 3 roommates; second year in the TKE Frat House with 40 of his brothers; and this year in an off-campus house with 3 of his brothers. Dan became an active member of the TKE Executive Board and recently began strategizing his campaign to become his chapters president next year. He also started talking about going to law school. As Dan would often say, Theres no place Id rather be than at the University of Maryland. Things were really looking good!
In early August of this year, Dan was involved in a serious car accident. He fractured his spine, spent a week in the hospital and had to wear a body brace for 8 weeks. But of course that didnt stop him. Dan returned to Maryland a little beat-up, but intent on getting through this setback. He struggled a bit with his health and the management of his diseases. On Sunday, October 30, Dan was not feeling well. On Monday morning his symptoms were getting much worse. As Dans blood sugar level was rising, he went into Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which caused his potassium levels to rise and his blood pressure to drop dramatically. Dans sister, Alli, rushed to his house and called an ambulance. Just before the ambulance arrived, Dan stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. Dan never regained consciousness and passed away at 11:40 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011 with his family by his side. Over 750 people attended Daniels funeral, a fitting tribute to a very special person.
Dan's legacy is simple: friends and family above all else. He loved and was loved by so many. Dan was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend. He will be in our hearts forever and will be sorely missed every day.
Dan's motto: "CLEAR EYES, FULL HEART, CANT LOSE"