March 19, 2010, will be the 4th year that St. Baldrick's will be held in Douglas County. This year at the Douglas County Event's Center. As a Community, we have raised over $250,000 to assist in scientific research for new cures to combat cancer. We have all experienced a loss or have been touched by cancer whether from family, or knowing someone with cancer. It is our responsibility to assist our researcher's in curing this disease. It is time to put a stop to debilitating chemotherapy treatments and replace it with less harmful medicine. Our children need to spend their time outside rather than growing up in a hospital bed. Please take time to read about this organization and the wonderful things they do for the children who have fought and are fighting for their lives. Worldwide, 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. "Each day, families of kids with cancer tell us a cure is not enough. These grants will not only help save lives, but will improve the quality of life for patients and survivors. Now for the story of Chase, my oldest son, and Peter and Hanna's brother. Chase was a happy child. He enjoyed all sports especially soccer, for he was a gifted athlete. Any sport he tried he would master in a short period of time. He enjoyed playing baseball, inline hockey and soccer. Chase also was a very good student and participated in a science fair and had one of his paintings displayed in the school library for a period of time. Chase also enjoyed building and launching Estes Rockets. He spent part of each week living with his mom and I. Even though I was divorced from his mother he spent threed days every week with me. This continued during his extended illness. Chase was eleven years old when he was diagnosed with a Teratoma Brain Tumor, which was in the Pineal region of his brain. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor on February 17, 1998. Chase suffered post operation complications and spent the next three months in the hospital. His mother and I could not leave him alone in the hospital, so one of us would be with Chase in his hospital room and the other would stay in my trailor which was parked at the hospital. We never left him alone. After extensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Chase surprised all of his doctors on the extent of his recovery. When he left The Children's Hospital Chase could not walk, talk, or eat on his own, by the end of August 1998, he was eating, walking, talking, and attending a special needs school in Jefferson County. On September 15, 2000, Chase was re-diagnosed with reoccurring Germinoma Brain Tumors and underwent additional medical treatment. He fought a tough battle and died on August 10, 2002. This is the fourth year that I have shaved my head at the Douglas County St Baldrick's event. I shaved my head in solidarity with Chase when he was undergoing his cancer treatments. I will never forget when Chase thanked me for shaving my head and I told him that we were twins. This will be Peter's second year that he has shaved his head at St Baldrick's. Please join us at the event, or donate to this cause.