Funeral Arrangements Released For Danni Kemp, 19

MILFORD, CT — The Milford community and beyond will have an opportunity to say goodbye to Danni Kemp, 19, who courageously battled cancer and whose story touched people throughout the state and beyond.

Cody White Funeral Home, of Milford, will be the location for family and friends to gather and pay their respects to Kemp from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. Cody White is located at 107 Broad St.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday, March 20 at Saint Agnes Church, 400 Merwin Avenue, in Milford.

News of Kemp's passing was announced Friday morning on the Danni Kemp Cancer Support Group Page. Kemp was recently selected as the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance Bob Casey Courage Award winner.

Kemp, a 2015 graduate of Foran in Milford, was diagnosed with a rare, inoperable brain tumor this past summer while playing softball with the Stratford Brakettes. In high school, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which was in remission. Kemp was a three-sport athlete at Foran and an All-State softball player in 2015. She played softball her freshman year at Stony Brook in 2016.

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Last July Kemp was hit in the head with a pitch while playing softball for the Stratford Brakettes. After testing for a concussion, doctors discovered Kemp had an inoperable brain tumor.

Kemp missed the fall semester at Stony Brook to undergo radiation treatment. She started treatments for the tumor in August at Yale-New Haven Hospital. In December, Kemp traveled to Germany for a series of treatments. Her teammates at Stony Brook dedicated the spring season to Kemp.

Kemp’s fight has caught the attention of the softball community. Two-time Olympic pitcher Jennie Finch tweeted about Kemp last year, and other athletes and schools have held fundraisers to help Kemp in her battle.

On Twitter, the hashtags #DanniStrong and #DK23 have been used by teammates at Stony Brook and other America East Conference softball programs. The local community has also reached out, raising considerable funds for the Kemp family.

At Foran from 2011-2015, Kemp was a standout for the girls softball team, playing catcher and then shortstop.

Milford native and NBC Connecticut News anchor Heidi Voight said on Sunday, April 2, she and NBC Connecticut's Ted Koppy are co-hosting the Dash for Danni 5K at Voight's alma mater, Foran High.

"This was originally supposed to be a fundraiser to help pay for her treatments. Now it will be a memorial race in her honor. Proceeds will still support the Kemp family as they pay for her medical expenses and make arrangements for Danni's final rest," Voight said on her social media page. "If you'd like to join us to honor this bright life lost far too soon, please register online or day-of here."

Kemp played volleyball and basketball for two years but stopped playing her junior year to focus on softball.

Last spring, she played second base for Stony Brook. Kemp was a recipient of the Fairfield County Sports Commissions Chelsea Cohen Award for her inspirational battle and strength in overcoming life-altering obstacle.

Photo: GoFundMe campaign