Fightstrong Honors

The Dave Wolff Award

The Dave Wolff Award stands as Fightstrong Foundation’s highest honor, created to recognize an individual who has faced cancer with extraordinary courage, selflessness, and an unmatched love for life. Named in honor of Dave Wolff, this award represents far more than the fight itself—it reflects the way someone chooses to live, lead, and inspire others through the hardest moments. It is a tribute to those who embody strength not just in adversity, but in the way they uplift everyone around them.

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The Spirit We Celebrate

Each year, Fightstrong Foundation selects one individual to receive the Dave Wolff Award, recognizing someone who represents the very best of what it means to Fightstrong. This honor is reserved for someone who has faced their journey with a full-of-life spirit, positivity, and unyielding courage, while continuing to impact others along the way. This is not just about resilience—it is about presence, perspective, and the ability to inspire even in the toughest circumstances. The individual chosen reflects the same energy and character that Dave carried every day.

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When the Legacy Lives On

The Dave Wolff Award is presented at the Fightstrong Foundation Golf Outing, where the entire community comes together to honor a story that deserves to be heard and remembered. In this moment, we take time to share the journey of the recipient in a way that captures not just what they’ve gone through, but who they are. This is one of the most meaningful moments of the entire event, serving as a powerful reminder of why Fightstrong exists and the lives that continue to shape its mission.

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Our Thoughtful Process

The selection of the Dave Wolff Award recipient is handled with the highest level of care and intention. Fightstrong works closely with families, medical teams, and those closest to each individual to understand the full scope of their journey and impact. This award is not based on circumstances alone, but on character, mindset, and the way someone carries themselves through it all. Every aspect is considered to ensure that the individual chosen truly represents what this award stands for.

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The Meaning Behind the Award

The Dave Wolff Award represents a legacy—one built on strength, positivity, and a deep commitment to others, even in the face of adversity. It is about more than fighting cancer; it is about how you show up every single day despite it. This award honors those who bring light into dark moments, who lead with heart, and who remind everyone around them what truly matters. It is a reflection of Dave’s spirit, and a continuation of the impact he left behind.

Our Recent Honorees

Shrey Patel

2025 Honoree | Osteosarcoma

read shrey's story

Jack Lupo

2024 Honoree | Osteosarcoma

read jack's story

Words From the Heart

“Dave had a great sense of humor. He was very caring and compassionate. He put his heart into everything he did. He was a wonderful husband, a great father, and when he coached, he treated all the boys like they were his own. He would be very sick but always bounced back and got better. The best thing I could have ever had was being lucky enough to have his three children.”

— Karen Wolff

Joseph's Connection

My Guardian Angel

"Coach Dave Wolff meant everything to me. I don’t remember much, except that he always said he couldn’t wait to coach me someday. Although he never got that chance, he showed up to one of my games — just to keep the book — and I’ve carried that moment with me ever since.

When I got sick, that connection only grew stronger. I found myself praying to him, feeling like he was my guardian angel, helping me battle cancer in a different way. I felt like I could be open and honest with him — and that feeling still stays with me to this day.

This award is how we keep his spirit alive, by recognizing fighters who carry the same energy and light Dave did — people who show up with joy, courage, and a will to live fully, no matter what they're facing."

— Joseph Nigro