Daniel Tan is a huge basketball fan. He was a student at Windward and still comes to every Windward basketball game, home and away. He even attended the 2009 State Championship game in Sacramento to support the team. DanTan (as he is called by his friends) was on the JV basketball team at Windward his sophomore year. He was the jokester of the team and well liked by his teammates and classmates. He is pictured with Darius Morris (a Windward team mate who now plays for University of Michigan and member of last years HSAAA Game) and the Windward Coaches.

In 2005, Daniel was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). This is a very rare and aggressive neurological disease that attacks the nervous system and affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. DanTan has since become quadriplegic and blind. About 18 months ago he underwent stem cell transplant in Seattle. He was the first NMO patient to undergo such treatment. Although he remained quadriplegic and blind, the stem cell transplant so far has succeeded in keeping the disease in remission. Even though he is now blind, his love for basketball is still very strong. With NMO, there are always setbacks and a need to work that much harder in physical therapy (often five days a week for three to five hours each session). Daniel works very hard now, just as he did on the basketball court. The disease doesn’t define him or keep him from working towards his dream of being able to walk again.

The DanTan award is a very special one that is awarded annually for student athletes who have overcome hardships, lead with their heart and inspired others in doing so.