DNA Saves is a 501(c)(4) non-profit association organized to educate policy makers and the public about the value of forensic DNA. The association was formed by Jayann and David Sepich in late 2008, marking the 5 year anniversary of the senseless murder of their daughter, Katie. DNA Saves is committed to working with every state to pass laws to expand the DNA database, and to provide meaningful funding for DNA programs.
Had a DNA sample been taken from Katie’s murderer, Gabriel Avilla, upon arrest for an unrelated crime, the Sepich’s would have discovered who killed their daughter only three months after her death. Instead, Avilla remained free to victimize more unsuspecting daughters, while the Sepich’s waited for answers.
The Sepich’s hope that by advocating for better DNA testing laws they can prevent another mother and father from asking “why?”.
As a 501(c)(4) association, donations are not deductible on your taxes. Due to IRS rules, we may not claim that funds are deductible if we may use the donations for legislative advocacy.
Clearly, legislative advocacy is the cornerstone of this association’s purpose. We do hope you will consider a donation, no matter how small, that we can use in our efforts to correspond with and educate state lawmakers. If you cannot make a donation, contacting your own state legislators in support of DNA arrestee legislation is just as important to us — please visit our Take Action page.
In December of 2010, two years after the formation of DNA Saves, DNA Saves Educational Foundation was formed as a separate non-profit organization. DNA Saves Educational Foundation is dedicated to the education of the value of forensic DNA. As a 501(c)(3), donations to this organization ARE tax deductible on your taxes.
If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to DNA Saves, please contact us at:
Dave and Jayann Sepich
1711 Mountain Shadow Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220
575-361-1931
jsepich@dnasaves.org