Samantha Michelle Ford of Arroyo Grande, California passed away in May 2010 at the age of 24 after her third battle with cancer. Sam was a dancer, artist, and performing arts teacher, despite losing her leg to her first bout with cancer at age 13. To honor her memory and continue her inspirational legacy, her friends and family have started an annual Remembering Sam Ford fundraiser, now dubbed SamFest. Proceeds create yearly scholarships in Sam’s name for young dancers at The Studio of Performing Arts in Grover Beach, Sam's childhood dance studio. In addition, proceeds are donated to The Pablove Foundation, which funds pediatric cancer research and advances in treatment, educates and empowers cancer families, and improves the quality of life for children living with cancer through hospital play, music, and arts programs.