Established in Memory of Delaney Nalepka · 2006–2020
Delaney lived with a joy that was impossible to ignore. The Don't Worry, Be Happy Foundation carries that spirit forward — bringing hope, support, and love to families facing childhood cancer.
Delaney Nalepka was 14 years old when she passed away in November 2020 after a courageous battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was the kind of person who lit up every room she walked into.
She loved horses so much that our family got horses because of her. She adored dolphins, monarch butterflies, and approaching every day with the simplest, most powerful philosophy: Don't Worry, Be Happy.
"Don't worry, be happy" wasn't just a song to Delaney — it was her philosophy for life.
— Tim Nalepka, Founder
Every act of kindness honors Delaney's memory and brings real comfort to families who need it most.
Every dollar goes directly toward supporting families battling childhood cancer. No gift is too small to make a real difference in a family's life.
Give Now →Join us at events, help spread Delaney's story, and become part of a community built on hope, love, and the belief that joy can survive grief.
Get Involved →Share our mission with friends, family, and your community. Awareness is the first step toward change — and change saves lives.
Share Our Story →Come together to celebrate Delaney's memory and raise support for families in need.
A 5K walk/run in Delaney's honor. All proceeds benefit families battling childhood cancer. Open to all ages — come as you are.
Learn More →An evening of love, remembrance, and community. Join us for dinner, live music, and a silent auction to support our mission.
Learn More →Release monarch butterflies in Delaney's memory. A beautiful, moving tribute open to the community. Bring someone you love.
Learn More →Your support keeps her spirit alive and brings real comfort to families who need it most. Join us in turning grief into something beautiful.
A 14-year-old with a laugh that filled every room, and a philosophy for living that we carry with us every single day.
Delaney Nalepka was born with an extraordinary capacity for joy. She moved through life with an ease and warmth that drew people to her — friends, family, teachers, strangers. She had a gift for making everyone around her feel seen, loved, and lighter.
She loved animals with her whole heart. She loved horses so much that our family got horses because of her. She was captivated by dolphins and their playfulness, and by the quiet beauty of monarch butterflies. She found wonder in the world even when the world was hard.
In November 2020, after a courageous battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Delaney passed away at 14 years old. She was — and remains — the reason we believe that joy is worth fighting for.
The Don't Worry, Be Happy Foundation was founded in her memory by her father, Tim Nalepka. It exists to turn the grief of losing her into something that gives other families strength.
"We got horses because of her. She changed everything about how we live — and she still does."
— Tim Nalepka, Founder & Father
Delaney's story doesn't end here. Every donation, every act of kindness, every shared smile keeps her spirit alive.
To support families facing childhood cancer, and to keep Delaney's joy alive in the world — one act of kindness at a time.
"We exist to turn the worst thing that ever happened to us into something that helps other families survive theirs."
— Tim Nalepka, Founder
Every initiative is designed with one goal: to make the journey a little less impossible for families who are facing what we faced.
Direct financial assistance and emotional resources for families navigating childhood cancer diagnoses. No family should face this alone.
Memorial scholarships in Delaney's name for students who embody her spirit of joy, resilience, and compassion for others.
Working alongside pediatric oncology departments to bring comfort, activities, and resources directly to patients and their families.
Annual fundraising events — runs, galas, butterfly releases — that bring our community together in Delaney's memory.
Raising awareness about childhood leukemia and the importance of early detection, research funding, and family-centered care.
Connecting grieving families with others who understand — because shared pain and shared joy are both more powerful than going it alone.
Every dollar, every hour, every shared story moves us closer to a world where no family faces childhood cancer without support.
Join our community to celebrate Delaney's memory and raise support for families facing childhood cancer.
A 5K walk/run in Delaney's honor. All proceeds benefit families battling childhood cancer. Open to all ages and abilities — come as you are, run for someone you love.
Register Interest →An evening of love, remembrance, and community. Join us for dinner, live music, and a silent auction. Delaney believed love was everything — let's show that.
Register Interest →Release monarch butterflies in Delaney's memory. A moving, beautiful tribute open to the entire community. Bring someone you love and let go together.
Register Interest →We welcome community-organized fundraisers in Delaney's name. Reach out and let's talk about how to make it happen.
Every gift — large or small — goes directly toward supporting families facing childhood cancer. Thank you for keeping her spirit alive.
Whether you want to volunteer, partner with us, or simply share how Delaney's story touched you — we'd love to hear from you.