Alan Darmody
Founder and Board President
In 2007, Alan was given the opportunity to photograph a family fighting cancer. It was an amazing experience that stuck with him and planted the idea of starting an organization to serve more families in the same situation. Then in January 2012, a close friend, merely 23 years old, died after her three year battle with a cancerous brain tumor. These two experiences really connected with each other and God started to motivate him to move forward with the concept. He feels like this organization not only serves a need but is also a calling from God to love others.
Alan has worked as a professional photographer since 2004 when he photographed his first wedding. After college he maintained photography as a side income while targeting family portraits, engagements, and weddings until 2010 when he made the move into full-time self-employment. His unique photographic style, technical skills, and his knowledge of the photography industry is crucial for this organization to provide a quality product and also develop a good reputation and coexist in the industry.
He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a marketing emphasis from Southern Adventist University in 2005 and soon after began a position as the Chief Operations Officer of a nonprofit music ministry. The years spent managing the finances, fundraising, and marketing of a nonprofit has given him valuable experience in the nonprofit sector.
Connect with Alan online: www.alandarmody.com
Persida Ambarus
Board Secretary
Persida is a born leader with a servant spirit. She is a talented project manager and event coordinator. She has served in multiple leadership roles with over ten non-profit organizations and is presently an executive leader with her local church. She is originally from Romania and has made Atlanta her home since 1997. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Georgia State University and is currently employed by General Electric Energy as an Executive Administrator of Marketing.
Our marketing, research, training, and fundraising projects will be greatly aided by Persida’s educational background and professional experience. Her strong leadership, organizational, and administrative skills are an incredible asset to our organization.
Dr. Clayton Blehm, M.D.
Board Treasurer
Clayton is a loving father, husband, and friend. He practices medicine with integrity, compassion, and is active in his community and church. We are proud to gain the support of such a strong, passionate and resilient man. In 2008, Clayton was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. By the grace of God, Clayton is cancer free and proud to be a survivor. His personal battle with cancer will greatly help us understand what patients, survivors and families are going through so we can compassionately serve their needs.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas he migrated northeast to Gainesville, Georgia after he earned his medical degree from the University of Texas-Houston. Clayton practices Ophthalmology with a team of doctors at Gainesville Eye Associates. His experience in owning and operating his own private practice is welcomed as we make important financial decisions and goals.
Clayton’s medical knowledge and experience is a wonderful asset to help guide our application policies and provide us a better insight into the medical details involved with cancer treatments and recovery.
