David Lee Nelson Memorial Fund

This memorial fund is dedicated to the memory of David Lee Nelson, taken too soon by cancer at the age of 42. Davey was a writer, performer, and standup comedian, but will be especially remembered as a beloved son, brother, husband, uncle, colleague and friend. 


The money raised in this fund will be given directly to his family to pay outstanding medical bills and funeral costs. Once those costs are covered, any additional donations will be given to two organizations close to Davey's heart: Camp Mak-a-Dream in Montana and Riverside Theatre in Iowa City. 


About David Lee Nelson: Born in Charleston, SC, David was an actor, writer, and standup comedian. He was the author of numerous plays and one-man shows, including "Status Update", "The Elephant in My Closet", and "Folly Beach." After being diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2016, he started a blog chronicling his treatment that was a source of hope and inspiration to many. That blog was adapted to the play "Stages" and later the book "Hope in the Time of Chemo."
David married his wife Jaimie Malphrus this past March. He is also survived by his parents Ann and Lee Nelson, and his sisters Anneclaire, Valerie and Rachel.

About Camp Mak-a-Dream: Camp Mak-A-Dream empowers survivors and their families to live with and beyond cancer through life-changing Montana experiences where they strengthen life skills, gain resilience and develop lasting relationships. In 2018, David spent his summer at the camp teaching a writing workshop to young adult survivors and performing his show "Stages."  This past summer he was able to teach the workshop via Zoom. Funds raised will go directly to the writing workshop. You can learn more about Camp Mak-a-Dream at campdream.org

About Riverside Theatre: David performed his show "Stages" at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City where one of his best friends and frequent collaborators, Adam Knight, serves as Artistic Director.  In the 20 days he spent in Iowa City, he performed his play at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and Clarke University. He spent a day at Holden greeting health care providers and families to promote National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. He taught a generative writing workshop and met privately with Young Adult and Adolescent patients.
Riverside Theatre is a professional theatre that connects artists and audiences through intimate, engaging, and provocative productions from the classics to new works, and provides an artistic home for regional theatre professionals. You can learn more about them at riversidetheatre.org

How Payments Are Handled: Go Fund Me has requested the following info be made clear: Friends of David Lee Nelson is organized by a friend of the family, Kris Vieira. The withdrawals from this fundraiser will go to an account she opened expressly for this purpose. The money will then be distributed by Kris as directed by the family--specifically, David's parents Ann and Lee and his wife Jaimie. The family has requested this arrangement rather than having to manage the Go Fund Me payments themselves. Feel free to reach out to the family to confirm if you have any concerns!