Off To Chicago....

It was an early morning rise for Chase this morning. He was up and leaving at 6:30 am, truck packed and praying that he had not forgotten anything. After all that would be a long drive back to pick it up.
We have received many calls from him updating us with where he is, gas prices and the weather. One of his bags was in the back of the truck. Lucky for him he saw the black rain clouds ahead of him and stopped to put that back inside the truck. All I can say is that he better find a dry cleaners near where he will be living because I am sure those clothes are not going to be "wearable" for those great first impressions he needs to make. LOL

Some prayer requests for him would be to find a decent living location that is not too bad for traveling time to and from the Ronald McDonald's House in which he will be working. Of course he has been looking online, has a few choices, but hasn't made that final decision yet. He wants to be on his own but yet live near enough to Chicago to enjoy the city for a couple of months. Of course safety in travel is a big prayer too. :-)

I was looking around the web today and came across a site for the Lineberger Center in Chapel Hill. It is the new cancer center that opened up last March and the one too that the UNC Baseball team did their Basebald for the Cure challenge. I thought I would leave you with this site and you can browse through, see some different pictures and even a few links from that page to some articles written if you haven't had a chance to view them.

Some kids that we have come to know and be in touch with need your prayers and support too. James, a child that Chase got to know through Friends of Jaclyn is having some difficulties recentlty. Keep him in your prayers. Also, a teenager that sought us out through this blog, Josh Kates, has the same cancer that Chase had and would love some support as well. Click on their names and you can view their blogs as well.

We are all looking forward to hearing from Chase this summer as he is going to be starting up a blog soon to keep us posted of his eventful summer.

Until next time....
Judith~mother of Chase

Summer Time

What a great and busy few month's Chase has had. He has finished up his Junior year of college, played baseball and made the dean's list all at the same time. Many of his friends were drafted and so now he is beginning to feel a little "left behind". After all, this would have been his graduating year had it not been for his brain tumor his freshman year. However, he still looks at it as a blessing and has had much good come from all of what he went through.
His next step is to go to Chicago and work for the Ronald McDonald house in that area. He is lucky to have this opportunity. Sometimes we feel like it is only because of cancer that he has these things come open for him. But, I know too that it is his faith in God that really is making it all happen. God is opening up doors for him in hope of letting His light shine through Chase and help those children who are or have experienced what he has.
Thanks for the continued prayers for Chase and also for what he will be doing this summer. I will keep you updated with what he continues to do and those he helps.
One thing we can look forward to is a blog that Chase will be writing during his time this summer. He really wants to honor Eve Carson and live up to what she would have wanted while using the scholarship money that he has received in her memory. I will let you know what that blog is once he gets it started. Stay tuned.....
God bless to all,
Judith~mother of Chase

It seems that we have another day in the life of Chase. However, this time, Inside Carolina is the one who has summed it all up. Read this article and see how well this author put Chase's past 3 plus years all into perspective. I continue to thank God for how He has worked in Chase's life.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Judith~mother of Chase

Chase and I have had such heavy hearts over the past two weeks. After losing his friend Ashton, he has really come to the point in his life that he realizes not everyone survives cancer. And with that, more passion to make pediatric cancer something that everyone is aware of.... Judy, Ashton's mom, and I will do our best, along with Chase to make sure more people realize that so many are affected by this dreadful disease. There is a video/song, that I would like to dedicate to Ashton. It is beautiful and the blog that it comes from is a great one to follow. Check this out.

There was a recent article on Chase in the Daily Tar Heel. You should check it out if you want to see what he is up to lately. Please donate to this cause if you are at all able to. Any little bit will help. The game on Sunday against NC State is sure to be a good one and then the shaving of the heads will be fabulous if they raise as much money as we would like. Check this out and see if you can learn anything new or see what Chase's cause is all about.

Thanks for following Chase News....

Judith~mother of Chase

This has been a long, but beautiful week. What started out with the passing of a friend and then tornadoes around the area, has left us with gorgeouse weather and remembering that God has a plan for all of us. Just today, an article came out in the Herald Sun about Chase. It is wonderful how Chase can take something so terrible as cancer and turn it into a positive learning experience. Our family has been affected by cancer on three different occasions, and that is just our immediate family. Yet, for Chase, he continues to find the positive. I love you Chase.
This weekend we will be celebrating the life of Ashton Miller. She was just 21 and lost her battle to a childhood cancer. We will gather and remember a beautiful young woman with an infectious smile. For you Ashton, we thank God that you are no longer in pain but may you find peace in Heaven.
May everyone become more aware of childhood cancer,
Judith~mother of Chase

It is with a heavy heart this morning that I write this blog. We lost a dear friend and vibrant young lady to cancer yesterday afternoon. Pictured here with Chase is Ashton Miller. She and Chase became friends with the common bond of the terrible disease of cancer. Even with their same age and same love for UNC Chapel Hill, nothing brings two people closer together than a bond like cancer. They were able to talk and discuss things like no other could because they had both "been there, done that." However, with Ashton, she had a different cancer and had fought the battle bravely for three years. When scans showed new growth last week and not much more than trials of new drugs to look forward to, she went down quickly and it was a shock to everyone.
Please pray for this family. Ashton leaves behind two younger sisters and fabulous parents. My heart goes out to them.
In Judy's CaringBrige site for Ashton, she wrote....."It is better to leave than to be left behind." I think that says what a lot of us are feeling right now.

Ashton, you will be remembered forever.
We miss you!

Judith~mother of Chase

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center :: The New Face of Cancer Care

Below is an article with Chase and how he has survived Cancer. The new Cancer Center in Chapel Hill is a part of the UNC Hospital has a site that tells about people treated there and what their care meant to the,. Of course, with the big heart that Chase has, this was not about him, but more how he wants to reach out to others. I am a proud mother of a cancer survivor child. I pray for those that have not been so lucky, I really do.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center :: The New Face of Cancer Care


Judith~mother of Chase

Chase and I would like to send out a special prayer for a dear friend of ours Ashton Miller. Her battle with cancer still continues. A 21 year old should never have to make the decisions that she is having to make. We love you Ashton.....

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center :: The New Face of Cancer Care

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center :: The New Face of Cancer Care

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center :: The New Face of Cancer Care

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center :: The New Face of Cancer Care

UNC Basebald For The Cure

It is that time again, the UNC Baseball Team will be shaving some heads!

In 2007, after Chase had finished his chemo and radiation, the Carolina baseball team supported him, along with one of the coaches son's, with efforts to raise money for the UNC Children's Hospital. Since then, they have not attempted this endevor again. However, it is back again on Sunday, April 11th and Chase would like to make this an annual event that will continue even after he has graduated.

The money this year will go not only to the Children's Hospital but to the Lineberger Center as well. It is the new wing of the hospital which has been needed for a long time.

Now you can help again, or for the first time. Chase is so excited about this chance to "give back" again to his beloved hospital and the doctors and nurses that helped him through his difficult time. Click here to go to Tar Heel Blue to view information about the event. You can make a pledge online or print out the form and mail. Next, if you want to come and see the shaving first hand, the event will take place on April 11th after the game against NC State. It will be a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I am sure with my father will be looking down on Chase and the baseball team saying "Way to go guys!" I miss you Daddy, your grandson has survived brain cancer and is making you proud.

As for what he has decided to do this summer with his Eve Carson Scholarship project, look out Ronald McDonald House, Chase is coming this summer. Chicago better be ready, because, ready or not, he is coming! And he is SO EXCITED!

Judith~mother of Chase

A Huge Honor

Chase has had quite the life these past 3 1/2 years. After cancer he was determined to get well, improve in baseball and help others. He has done all three! He has been cancer free for 3 years, he is an official bull pen catcher for the UNC Tarheels AND has been a part of the USA Collegiate Baseball team this past summer. Finally, he has now been chosen as a recipient for the Eve Carson Scholarship at Carolina and will be able to follow a passion of his which is helping other children with cancer.

There have been many interviews and articles about this wonderful scholarship, however, my favorite is from our local newspaper the Jamestown News. Click here to read and of course stay tuned to see where he plans to go this summer for an internship. There are so many possibilities and so many offers. What a special young man God has created in our son Chase!

Judith~mother of Chase

We don't get snow like this very often and it has been fun. Chase is in Chapel Hill enjoying some snow there, not as much as us in Greensboro though. :-)

Soon we will be able to tell you what his summer plans are due to him receiving the Eve Carson Scholarship from UNC. A proud time for us as parents....Chase is a well deserving young man!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Childhood Cancer Awareness

Chase and I, as well as the rest of the family have been blessed with the many opportunities that have come his way. Many think that God is cruel when giving their child a cancer. I am one of the lucky ones that can say that through God, Chase as well as many others have been blessed. Chase has touched many lives in UNC Hospital when he was in as a patient and now even when he is out. Along with this, determintation has become a permanent part of his disposition. With these qualities he has shared them with many scholarship opportunities. He has recently been chosen as a recipient of the Eve Carson Scholarship that was started last year after her death. You can read more about it here.

Also, recently we had the nice time of supporting the Ashton Miller fund. Ashton is a friend of Chase's who also has been fighting the battle of a childhood cancer. Her mother, Judy, and I teamed up to help raise money for Childhood Cancer. Unfortunately, there is not much awareness of all the cancers that hit our children and there is no one to advocate for them. So Chase, as well as Judy and I, are trying to do just that. Please read the article about Chase and realize that his passion is for childhood cancer, not just baseball. However, the two may come together someday, somehow.

God is Great,

Judith~mother of Chase

Event: Children's Cancer Awareness Fundraiser www.socializr.com/event/132366708 Hosted by: Judy Miller When: Jan 25, 2010, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM Location: Wine Styles The Shops At Friendly, Greensboro, NC

Judy Miller and I share something in common, a child with cancer. Together we want to bring more awarness to Childhood Cancer. If you cannot attend this event in Greensboro, I ask you to got to my website for Silpada Jewelry. I am giving my 30% earnings from this event to this cause. The site is www.mysilpada.com/judith.jones

Please consider coming out to the event or at least ordering an item or two of beautiful sterling silver jewelry.

Here's to helping with Childhood Cancer Awareness...

Judith~mother of Chase

Childhood Cancer fundraiser

Hi there to all of those who have been touched by cancer or who would like to help those who have been.
A great friend of mine who's daughter is batteling cancer and is the same age as Chase is fighting for her life. We would like to invite our friends to attend a gathering at Wine Styles at the Shops of Friendly in Greensboro. If you are not able to attend, you can order something from my website for Silpada Jewelry and 30% of the sales will go to this cause.
Right now our plan is to use the proceeds from this event to find ways to make people aware of how prevelent Childhood Cancer is....it is truly sad how many do not know this. Please consider coming on out if you live nearby or going to my Silpada website, looking through the catalogue and purchasing something. After all, it will all go to the children and you get something too.
Thank you for your continued support of Chase and many others with the dreadful disease called cancer.
Judith~mother of Chase

What a great Fall Semester

With Chase's third year at UNC Chapel Hill underway, he has accomplished many things. The Business School at Carolina is where he spent most of his first semester and has done very well. He misses being up on campus where so many other students are that I found out he had been attending a lecture class just to be around other students. Can you believe that!? A kid going to an extra class just to see and be around others. He even went to the exam.....he wanted to be "that guy" to finish the exam in 15 min. and walk out. However, he got too involved in his essay that someone else beat him to the punch. What a great kid Chase is; sense of humor and a wonderful student. LOL

One of his best accomplishments is becoming president of the Carolina Dreams Club at UNC. This is something he is passionate about and seems as though he is destined to help out other children. Take a look at the link and see what he will be involved in during the next year or so. Of course, he will never forget Friends of Jaclyn and what that organization does for children specifically with brain tumors. I just love the Murphy's and how they have dedicated their lives to helping others.


His fall baseball season also turned out to be quite eventful. During the Fall World Series, as they call it, he was able to have an "at bat!" How exciting to see him at the plate swinging the bat. After accomplishing getting on base, by being hit by the pitch, LOL, he stole second base! Playing second base in the final inning was the ending hype of the game and there was no way you could slap the smile off his face that night.

With all that being said, we are so thankful that Chase continues to do well academically as well as in health. UNC Children's Hospital now has a new cancer wing and Chase is happy that he does not have to visit it but every six months now for scans. That is not to say that he does not go there to see other kids or to see Dr. Gold for a "hello" every once in a while, but his health has been very good and we know we are blessed. We do have one request. Please keep a dear friend of his, Ashton Miller, as well as her family in your prayers. Ashton is a friend he met through cancer and she still continues to battle the disease. Being 21 and having to make life changing decisions is truly what I am happy Chase does not have to make, but, Ashton does. Pray BIG for her, please.
Thanks for keeping up with Chase. Knowing that there are many out there praying for us and wanting the best in life for Chase makes his life wonderful.....as well as mine.

Judith~mother of Chase

Clear Scans

I waited and waited and waited......finally Chase called and told me that the preliminary look at the scans was clean. YEAH! However, what he was most excited about was the new cancer wing at the UNC Chapel Hill Hospital. "Mom, it is awesome, you have got to see it" he says, before he even told me about the clean scans. Typical Chase, he is more excited about everyone or everything else than he is for himself. I love him..... He then goes on to tell me about how bad parking is and how he wants to do something to help those families that have to come and visit their children and pay for the parking time after time. They don't even sell the discounted passes anymore. He couldn't imagine me going and paying ever day and then his Grandmother and Aunt coming and paying also as many times as they came to visit. "Those bills add up" he says, I want to do something to try and help that situation. His mind is always rolling. He did hand off some Friends of Jaclyn pamphlets to the right people in the hospital. We really do hope to get more of those children involved in the program.
Ta ta for now, with a happy day. :D

Chase will have an MRI tomorrow night, it is his first since March. I have been asking and asking him to get this done and he kept putting it off. They are not any fun, he will be quick to tell you that. But with his schedule of baseball, school, summer of baseball and then school starting again, he just couldn't tie down a time.

Please pray that the scans are clear as they have been in the past. This October 4th marks the third year since his diagnosis. We have been lucky that he has been strong and healthy since chemo and radiation was completed and I would like him to stay that way.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is officially deemed ‘Childhood Cancer Awareness Month’. Unfortunately for those of us living with childhood cancer it is a lifelong fight for awareness and not just 30 days. Breast Cancer Month is in October and you will start to notice the color pink everywhere and many companies will be showing their support with monetary donations to breast cancer funds when you purchase their products. The breast cancer folks run a fabulously successful campaign and I think everyone now associates the color pink with breast cancer. And please don't get me wrong, I think that is wonderful as my own mother has battled breast cancer.
However, gold is our children's color. The best character color in my opinion. It stands for quality and excellence and being second to none. EVERY CHILD with cancer exhibits these characteristics and children above all else should have our attention, our concerns and our promise. They are our future, our inspirations, our hopes and dreams, our daughters and sons, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We owe them our best and we have to commit to finding a better quality of treatment, less invasive and toxic treatments and ultimately a way to stop these mutant cells from continuing to grow out of control and taking lives. I am going to take a guess that at least 85% of the people reading this had no idea that September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Well, now you know. Welcome to the party!
I do hope this grassroots movement continues to pick up momentum and September will be filled with gold ribbons and bald headed little kids asking for your help. The color gold will decorate Oreo bags, Barbie packages, diaper packaging and all sorts of other products. Millions of dollars will be raised and significant improvements will occur on all fronts. Awareness. Having knowledge of how widespread pediatric cancer is and how little funding it receives on the federal level and on the commercial level is crucial.
I know childhood cancer is not pretty. It’s heartbreaking and sad but we need to get over that and look the beast in the eye and make a commitment to help these kids. I am usually not a soapbox kind of guy but this is personal and on occasion I need to drag that box out and take to the airwaves. If you can, please make a little change for the next 30 days. I am sure you agree that we all use email every day. Please add this line after your signature "September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month." It’s the small steps that turn into large steps that turn into change. Just getting the word out and making people think, even just for a moment, about kids having cancer, is effective. If you have a blog, could you mention that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? If you Tweet on Twitter, tell your followers that it’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Face bookers, tell your friends.
Spread the word.

Summer of Baseball

Let's just say that Chase had quite the summer with baseball. The College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska was his third in a row, the team's fourth, but still not the outcome that all would have wanted. The guys were so disappointed, but even more so in knowing that those games would be the last that they would play together, ever. Many were drafted or graduated and so the friendships will move on in different directions. A sad time for them in so many ways.

After a day's rest.....Chase joined up with Team USA in Cary and had a thrilling time. They played in Cary, NC until July 6th and then went on to Tokyo, Japan and finished up in Prince George, Canada where they won the World Challenge! He arrived back home in late July just in time to help his roommates move into the apartment and have a couple weeks before classes started again.

As for his health, Chase is doing very well. He had a scheduled MRI during the summer that he missed due to being out of the country. I keep hounding him to set up another one, but you know most 21 year olds, they have their own schedules and if they feel fine, he really doesn't think it is necessary. But, as his mother, I disagree!!! :-( We will see who wins this battle. hee hee

On another note, Jake, Chase's younger brother has now started college at UNCW and so the two of them are doing more chatting, aka. texting. I am happy that they are in touch with each other and both doing well. Jake will be a part of the baseball team down there as well. We are thrilled to be pulling for both the Heels and the Seahawks!

I will post pictures at another time, school has started and there is much to do.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, please help spread the word and wear a yellow ribbon if you have one.