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Our Organization

Fighting for Finn and All of his Friends

We are a nonprofit that supports those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy by providing direct family assistance and funding multi-disciplinary Duchenne specialty clinics. We are a small but mighty organization determined to fight for Finn and all his friends battling this disease!

Since 2020, Finn’s Friends has diligently fundraised by hosting various events to raise money and awareness for the Duchenne community.

We have several events yearly that raise money and awareness to support our organization so that we can continue to help those affected by this disease.

To enhance the quality of life for the families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

To vigorously participate in the fight to support those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy by providing direct family assistance and funding multi-disciplinary Duchenne specialty clinics.

Compassion- We have an abundant amount of compassion for the families affected by Duchenne.  The core reason we started this organization was to extend that compassion to the Duchenne community. We lead every project, donation, and initiative with compassion from start to finish. 

Collaboration - We understand the need for our organization to thrive in productivity and creativity; we need to cultivate strong relationships with other families, nonprofits, and clinicians, leading to more innovation, increased success, better awareness, and improved communication. Our desire to partner with others is strong and holds the highest importance. 

Courage- We take action that withstands the common fears of taking on tasks that seem difficult.  We feel a compelling responsibility to advocate for the families who cannot and are committed to being bold in our decisions to grow through courageous acts of love and community.

Our Team

Paula

Paula

President

Paula founded Finn's Friends in 2020 in response to her son Finn being diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. She realized very early on in their journey there was an immediate need in the community for families who couldn't afford basic care. Feeling heavily impacted by her desire to give Finn the best care, she became proactive in helping change that for the families in the DMD community. Paula has three children: Madeline(25), Tayler(19), and Finn, now six. She is married to Dan, who works for Henry Schein Dental and lives in Longview, Texas.
Dan

Dan

Vice President

Dan was born and raised in Central New York. After two years of junior college, in 2002, he moved to East Texas to attend Letourneau University. After graduating with a marketing degree in 2005, he worked in marketing for four years. In 2011, he transitioned into outside dental sales for Henry Schein. In 2018, when Finn was diagnosed with DMD, he and his wife Paula had the vision to create Finns Friends and use his sales and marketing experience to grow the organization. Some of Dan's likes are golf, cycling, and traveling.
Emily

Emily

Administrative Director

Emily started at Finns Friends in 2023. She currently lives in Longview with her husband, Kurt and 3 kids, Weston, Colton, and Lucy. Emily is passionate about growing Finns Friends into an organization that reaches families across the nation! She hopes that awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy will continue to grow, so that families struggling through the disease will have restored hope through family assistance programs and the eventual cure of the DMD.
Colby Dickson

Colby Dickson

Board Member

Colby is serving his first year as a board member for Finns Friends. He currently resides in Longview with his wife, Whitney, daughter, Corah, and son, William and actively gives back to the community through volunteering. Colby has been a consistent supporter of the organization from the start. He currently serves as a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual. His wealth of knowledge is going to be vital to the growth of Finns Friends.
Heather Sanders

Heather Sanders

Board Member

Heather is the newest addition to the Finn's Friends board as treasurer. She is an East Texas Native who currently calls Longview her home. With over 11 years of experience in public accounting with Henry & Peters, with experience serving on boards like TXCPA East Texas, and a heart for others, she is excited to bring her attributes to Finn's Friends

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