A memorial service/pot luck will be Saturday, July 26, at Henderson’s Restaurant banquet room, 450 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor from 3 to 8 p.m.

Matthew “Muttley” James Danna, 33, died July 14, 2003, at his home in Oak Harbor. He was born March 30, 1970, in Torrance Calif. He was raised in San Diego where he graduated from Sierra High School in 1988. He moved with his family to Oak Harbor where he attended Skagit Valley College, taking courses in film with the intent to become a movie director.

Matt will be remembered as the fun-loving disc-jockey for Marsha’s Music whose smile and love of people made them laugh, dance and sing to the music. His passion during the last 23 months of his life was to ensure that the word on the silent killer, colon cancer, was spread throughout the country, to all those under the age of 50: If cancer of any kind is present in your family, demand a check-up and a blood test. As Matt stated, “The medical community does not believe people under the age of 50 can contact this disease, it’s too bad no one has told the disease itself.” Colon cancer takes 56,000 people a year; it has no preference on age.

Matt was diagnosed incorrectly. He might still be here if the proper blood tests had been given; however, because of his age at the time (30), he was told he had a bleeding hemorrhoid and not to worry. Don’t let what happen to Matthew happen in your family. If you are Matt’s age or younger and cancer is present in your family, get a check-up and blood test. Demand it.

Matt is survived by his mother Marsha, father Robert and brother and sister Ken Danna and Anita Bernard. Donations may be made to Matthew Danna Fund, 1176 W. Ridgeway Dr., Oak Harbor 98277. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.