Charlie update:  January 7^th, 2008 - As most of you know Charlie, now 9yrs old has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for the last 3 years.  He muscled through the first 2 1/2 years and was seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, unfortunately, in the summer of 2007; he had a relapse of the disease. Extremely uncommon for ALL yet always a looming possibility, this news was as devastating and more heart wrenching to us than the news of the original diagnosis.  Thankfully, through monthly spinal tap procedures they were able to catch the newly charted leukemia cells early and immediately get them under chemotherapy and into remission. Although this sounds like a simple undertaking, and for some it can be, but in Charlie’s case it meant double doses of steroids, more intense levels of chemo,  introductions of additional chemotherapy and later, radiation. These new treatments are given to Charlie over 3-4 days at Winthrop Hospital approximately every 3 weeks.  Basically, the normalcy in life he had just regained was turned completely upside down to a level of illness that is hard to comprehend.   We are updating you on this not to dwell on Charlie’s hardships but to THANK YOU once again for your love and support, without which our family could never get through these trying times.  Charlie’s Champions Foundation has become the driving force which gives us hope for Charlie’s recovery and faith in the goodness of all involved.  We have seen first hand now the direct results of the Special Programs at the Cancer Center for Kids that Charlie’s Champions supports:  the Child Life Specialist, Child Psychologist, and Music Therapist.  Charlie spends an enormous amount of time in the cancer center and these professionals help him understand and cope with adversities in life.  These professionals are supported solely by your donations to the foundation.  Thus the cycle of giving, supporting and healing becomes a reality and that all begins with YOU.  The amount of healing that is created by this cycle is astonishing. We can only tell you over and over again how grateful we are for your support. Charlie and all the other children benefit directly from your generosity.      T.S.

Underage in The Cage 2008 - Kids paddle clinic and pizza party on Friday, March 28th 2008.  Click here for the application.