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Excerpted from a LETTER FROM DASH'S MOM

Dash was finally given the peace is body, heart and soul needs. On Tuesday May 9th at 12:10 Pacific time, Dash drew one last labored breath and became free. Please celebrate the vibrancy of the Dashman with us. He never had a lonely moment. I have held him nonstop since January. I feel completely blessed and honored to have had this child in my life.

Now this is where I get to ask for a few favors. I promised Dash an R.V. trip this summer. The purpose was two fold - to give him what he wanted, and for me to drive around the country and chronicle the stories of these amazing children who have survived inspite of all the odds. I wanted to give parents facing the horrible prognosis, looking into the eyes of unaffected doctors - hope. I feel I still need to do this. Almost more now then before. I need stories, families willing to share their experiences, images and love. I want to put these in a book to help other families facing the most difficult of times. I'm still not sure of the logistics, but I know it will all work. It's too important not to. If you know of any such families, please e-mail me: gdunbar@mcn.org.

My second favor is harder to ask for. I need to give the kids a break. The tremendous emotional toll of losing their brother has been huge. They have unselfishly put Dash first for the past eleven months giving all that they had, and allowing me to do the same. I would love to take them someplace warm where we can regroup, grieve and rejoice. I have exhausted all of my financial resources, I can't do this for them. If you or anyone you know could please donate any frequent flier miles, allow us to stay in an unused vacation home, we would be forever grateful.

I have so many wishes for Dash, for me - but I have no regrets. My time with him was so very precious. He loved his life. We were playing Little League, last Saturday was his last game. He played it from a wheelchair, but he was there. Last Wednesday we went to school, his favorite librarian read to him, and I took him on the swings and down the slide. All of his classmates encircled him and treated him with so much love and normalcy. It was truly special. On Friday his eye that had turned in, his first symptom, went straight. He saw one image for the first time in almost eleven months. Dash and I showed everyone we could find.

Dash Dunbar is remembered as a tough, energetic, and precious 5 year old boy, who recently started kindergarten at the Mendocino Grammar School in Mendocino, California. In July 1999, Dash was diagnosed with "pontine glioma," a specific form of brain stem cancer. He bravely fought the illness with courage and the dignity of a real life hero. We can all learn from Dash's courage and tenacity.

Dash is survived by his loving mother, Karen, two sisters, Gretchen and Taylor- Paige, and a brother named Bibs. Dash's caring father, Aynsley Dunbar, is a noted musician who is now based in Los Angeles. Dash loved to ski and snow board, go camping, go to the beach, and play computer and video games. His favorite television program was "Blues Clues." His favorite songs were Lenny Kravitz' "Fly Away," and Fatboy Slim's "Funk Soul Brother." He loved James Bond movies and someday wanted to change his name to "Bond, James Bond!"

Dash's family now needs our prayers and support. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Send e-mail (Love To Dash ), cards, and letters of support and let them know you are thinking of them. You can also, if possible, contribute to the memorial fund which will also help ease the resulting financial burden on his family.