John Daly

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.  

The Capital Cup adapts the historic Ryder Cup format—steeped in tradition—to promote community pride, healthy competition, and raise money for the Sacramento region’s most deserving charities. Each year, leaders from the Sacramento region are divided into two teams for an exciting 3-day golf competition. Donors have the opportunity to support their favorite player (or their favorite charity), as each player is competing to benefit his or her favorite charitable organization. The winning team's designated charities share a prize fund of $100,000! The tournament started with the ambitious goal of raising $250,000 in its first year. When it well surpassed that goal, the tournament committee raised the bar, and has continued to do so every year since—and every year, the participating golfers exceed expectations. The Capital Cup has raised more than $18 million over its history.