FAMILY SUPPORT FUND

Dear Friends,

Our beloved Dorian Caster tragically passed away on Friday, July 20. Dorian was a kind and caring soul with a beautiful and infectious energy. He was passionate about life and this world, and he captured this compellingly through the lens of his camera. He was a loving husband to his wife, Corrie, and devoted father to their children Kai and Rio. He loved his family and friends deeply and unconditionally, and anyone who had the opportunity to meet Dorian can attest to the remarkable ways in which he touched everyone’s lives.

For those of you who don’t know, Dorian suffered from unmanaged depression for many years. Though his death feels nearly incomprehensible, it is also a painful yet important reminder that mental illness is often an unseen struggle, and speaks powerfully to the disparity between one’s public portrayal and their own private realities. It is Corrie’s hope that Dorian’s memory will prompt a greater awareness of mental health, as suicide is a painful and complicated topic that we all must address if we are to respect the lives lost.

In recognition of Dorian’s battle with mental illness, we must all consider the consequences that this struggle has on his family. While each of us has felt the impact of losing our dear friend far too soon, the life-altering ramifications his children will experience as a result of this tragedy is unthinkable. The unfortunate reality is that while we grieve alongside them, the aftermath of this adversity has the capacity to transform the trajectory of their lives. Before they can truly grieve, they must face some very daunting questions: can we remain in our house and how will we pay the bills? Will this tragedy limit what we can achieve in our own lives? Therefore — we must collectively take action and help answer these questions. We must ensure Kai and Rio have the ability to choose the course of their own lives rather than having that course forced upon them.