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A Promise Made Ashburn woman produces documentary on childhood cancer BY C H R IS WADSWO RT H
I (Clockwise from above) Donna Speckhard conducts an interview with a production crew; Ashburn teen Gavin Rupp, whose death in 2013 from cancer inspired the docuseries “The Promise”; Speckhard was honored as one of the “Loudoun 100” in 2019 for her work. 16 • ASHBURN MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
t’s a bittersweet memory — a mix of happy times and terrible loss — that endures for the many Ashburn friends of Gavin Rupp. The 13-year-old Eagle Ridge Middle School student and local athlete touched hearts around the community with his two-year battle against brain cancer before succumbing in 2013. His close friends, his classmates and their families have never forgotten. Donna Speckhard has also never forgotten. Gavin’s mother is one of her close friends. Speckhard, who is married and has a collegeage daughter, works in crisis management, helping companies plan for, respond to and recover from major disasters. But despite that background, she found herself struggling with how to reach out to the Rupps and what to do and say during that terrible time. Eventually the Broadlands resident found her voice — and made a promise that would change her life. She created a five-part, awardwinning docuseries about childhood cancer to inform and educate as many people as possible. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so Ashburn Magazine spoke with Speckhard about the promise and her journey. Here are excerpts from our conversation.