A tiny butterfly flapping its wings in one city can create great winds in another.
A young girl filled with passion and joy, taken from the world too soon, made a significant impact on the lives of many and Neurofibromatosis research (NF). One event, no matter how small, can indeed create substantial change in the world.
Penny Doerge was diagnosed at a very young age with Neurofibromatosis. This genetic condition leads to numerous health concerns, including a bone disorder and tumors to grow on nerve tissue which, in her case, ultimately led to brain cancer. After bravely facing all the health challenges, Penny sadly passed away at 16, leaving a legacy of compassion and creativity.
Penny with the Artist, Donald Robertson.
Despite the many hardships in her life, Penny lived every day with joy and passion. She did not allow her diagnosis to define her. She discovered a love for art at the early age of 3 and pursued her passion in any way possible. From bedazzling her casts to painting with her friends every Friday in an art studio, creating beautiful pieces fueled by happiness only reflected her inner nature. As her love for art grew, she discovered the artist Donald Robertson and fell entranced by his wild and colorful creations. Penny ended up meeting Donald and showing him a few pieces of hers. He encouraged her to keep creating; that is just what she did.
Penny’s purpose has reached many, including Eli Manning and Jimmy Fallon, who are helping her fly higher than ever.
After her passing, Penny’s parents created the foundation ‘Penny’s Flight’ to fund critical Neurofibromatosis research in her name. Even though she is no longer with us, her character and art continue to resonate with so many people.
Every day, we print hundreds of copies of paintings and photographs, each with its own story. However, producing 200 copies of the original artwork Donald Robertson painted in honor of Penny was especially meaningful to us. Robertson recommended Duggal to Penny’s parents to print the pieces memorializing their daughter.
Donald Robertson’s piece in honor of Penny.
To bring 200 prints to life, our sales representative, Zulema Morin, worked with Penny’s mother, Kate Doerge, and her Godmother, Stormy Stokes. She walked them through the details of each stage of production required, from capturing the digital file of the original art to printing tests and finals on Archival Premium Inkjet paper and through the final stages of trimming and packing. The prints perfectly encapsulated Penny’s bright, dynamic personality. They were completed just in time for a Christmas fund-raiser for research on the disease that took Penny's life but not her spirit.
A glimpse of the printing process.
Each of these prints has a purpose: helping to fund and advance Neurofibromatosis research and bring Penny’s inspiring story to light. Duggal is honored to be a part of Penny’s lasting legacy by helping to bring awareness to the Penny’s Flight Foundation and Neurofibromatosis generally. Penny truly was a rare being. She lived daily with a smile, kept on creating, and is now helping others through her work. With a flap of Penny’s wings, she was able to reach an audience across the country, changing so many lives in the process.
Support Penny’s story and the foundation at: www.pennysflight.org and @pennysflight on Instagram
