Chase is now a Carolina Grad!

Is this Carolina Blue? I hope so, Chase is now a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We are one proud family. To think, during his freshman year we had to pull him out of school, which he still calls the worst day of his life, and now he is a college graduate from the Business School at UNC! We are so proud of him....
After Basebald for the Cure raising over $17,000, he has decided that raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer is what he wants to do. So, two days after coming home from the College World Series in Omaha, he packed his bags, and his truck, and headed for Austin TX. He is completing an internship for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Lance Armstrong's book was the first book he read after knowing he had cancer. He said it really helped him to prepare for what was to come. Later this summer Chase is expected to begin work with the St. Baldericks Foundation. He is so excited about this position. It will allow him to use his people skills to bring more knowledge of pediatric cancer, raise money for research and keep up with his first "love", Basebald for the Cure. He has a passion for what he is doing, only God has put that in him and God has lead him to all the right places and put all the right people in his path. What a great life Chase is leading and all with God's direction in his life. I have learned so much from my son.
I will try to post some pictures of the events that have happened in the past months.
As always, stay strong,
Judith~mother of Chase

This is Chase with his brother, Jake, and his father, Buddy. Above is Chase on the field at Carolina. He loved being in that uniform. The first is me, Mom, a proud mother of a son who is a Brain Cancer Survivor. :-)

Basebald for the Cure

What a great Carolina Blue sky that shown on Saturday, April 2nd. The 2nd annual Basebald for the Cure was held after the ending of the Clemson vs. UNC game. With thier second win under their belt, the team came out to shave their heads in participation of the event that has now raised over $15,000. This money has gone to the Lineberger Center for the pediatric oncology patients. Here is a video that I found from the Daily Tar Heel. Please watch, it is very inspiring. One of the most touching moments for me was meeting Josh Kates and his mother Darma. I have been in contact with them for a while and this was Josh's first chance to meet Chase. They both share the same diagnosis and the fact that this kind of tumor is so rare makes it even more special. Josh was so inspired by Chase and yet, what Josh doesn't know is that he is an inspiration to us. I will have some pictures soon. Thanks to all who donated to this wonderful cause. Judith~mother of Chase

Baseball~It's a wonderful life!

Well, the season is underway and if I were to say anything about it, I would say that the Diamond Heels are doing quite well! I don't want to jinx them, but they sure do look great.
In my last posting I mentioned a young man Zion, who the team seemed to have taken under their wings. Today, Chase threw out the first pitch to Zion while he caught it.....almost. The almost is because of a short hop throw Chase made for the first pitch. He was all smiles, I think it was more embarrassment than anything else. The second pitch was right on target and then Zion was all smiles with the catch.
This upcoming weekend, March 30th - April 1st, the Tarheels will be playing Clemson. But more importantly, the annual Basebald for the Cure will be happening on Sunday the 1st. Quite an exciting time for Chase, and busy. Lots of putting together this event and that event to help raise the money. The Sunday shaving of the heads is the conclusion of it all. The goal is $10,000 to go to the Lineberger Center. I feel sure they will make that goal, but it isn't too late to get in your donation. :-)
If you can, come on out to the Bosh and watch some heads being shaved. It is kinda neat to see the shape of those ball player's heads with no hair. I sure hope they have ordered new hats, because we all know that without hair, they just don't fit the same. Hee Hee

Until next time,

Judith~mother of Chase

Long time, no see.....sorry for our absence. My mother always said "No news is good news." And so it is. All is well with us and especially Chase. He is in his last semester of undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill and is actively interviewing and job searching. Of course we all know where his passion lies, helping others, children especially who have cancer.

Baseball season is underway now that February has come. He continues to be involved in the sport he loves so much and they are looking forward to a great year. Last weekend Chase was able to speak at the Carolina Baseball's First Picth Dinner and before that he spoke at the Lineberger Cancer Center that just opened up. He and the team were able to raise $6,500 that went toward that center. They will do the shaving of the heads again this year on April 2nd. Stay tuned for more about that as it draws nearer.

Recently, Chase and the baseball team were involved in a wonderful story about a boy from Wilmington who had brain surgery. Again, the team came in and supported that child and made a difference in his life. May Chase and others continue to make such stories and make a child's day.

As always, thanks for the continued prayers for Chase and others who deal with cancer.

Judith~mother of Chase

January already?

It has been such a long time since last posting, I really am sorry about that. However, as they say..."No news is good news." Chase is in his last semester of his undergraduate career and doing very well. He has had many, many interviews and a still hoping for a job come May. God has a special assignment for him when it is time. Patience is a virture that he and I are learning.
Chase has many things going on besides his last school semester. He is still involved with Carolina Dreams, Eve Carson Scholarship duties, baseball and his happiest times, helping kids at UNC Hospital. He amazes me at how he touches so many lives. We lost a dear one, James Neubauer, the adopted child from Friends of Jaclyn. James earned his wings back in November. This hit Chase hard and he still has a hard time with those that lose their lives when he was fortunate enough to survive. But I know that there is always a reason for what God does and that reason will become apparent, we just need to be patient.

In the meantime, Chase has been working with an Entrepenior Business class in which he can connect patients at UNC with past patients so they have someone to talk with while being in the hospital and being treated. This is something that Chase has been doing since his recovery. To him, it is just natural. To others, maybe they just need the right connections. He would have loved someone his age to talk to while he was sick. His heart is always in the right place.

The most recent child is Zion Kinlaw, a 10 year old who had brain surgery at UNC. The baseball team visited Zion during his stay at UNC and got to know him and uplifted him during his recovery. Zion will be catching the first pitch while Chase throws the pitch at the UNC vs. Duke game in March. If you would like to read more about this, here's the link. Be sure to read all the pages. I have spoken with Jennifer, Zion's mother, and they are raising money to give to the Neurology Department to help continue helping others like Zion. You can find that information in the article.

All in all, we are doing well. Chase is excited about his future, still commited to kids and wants a job working nonprofit or at least one that will be benifiting children who are going through diseases that, really, no child should have to endure.

As always, we appreciate the love, support and prayers that so many give to us and to those that are affected by cancer.

Thanks for being a part of the chain that can help others.
Judith~mother of Chase

Summer is going fast!

As I lay here on the couch after having back surgery only three weeks ago, I can't help but think about all the wonderful experiences that Chase has had by being able to travel to Chicago via the Eve Carson Scholarship. He calls us on a daily basis and tell us all about the ins and outs of working for a nonprofit organization and how they go about raising money and entertaining some important people in hopes of them "giving" to the organization. He has told us about how the tabs that we all save help out and now there is a commercial with kids and Happy Meals talking about Hope being in every box. Pretty neat and it seems to be right up his alley being that he loves to meet and mingle with others.

He has also been able to spend time doing some of the things that Chicago has to offer. Friends have visited and he has traveled to see one in particular who was playing a baseball game within a few hours. He is certainly one busy young man. He even came home this past weekend to be a groomsman for a high school friend of his. What an experience for him and to be able to see all those buddies of his....what a weekend. You can check out his blog for pictures.
I believe he has only two more weeks up there and then he will head to India to see some other business aspects in another country. All the while trying to move out of one apartment, keep things in a garage and then move into a house with 5 other ball players when he arrives back from India. Does he know what the time difference is???? Whew, to be young again!

The rest of us are doing fine. Jake is in New Orleans doing two weeks of baseball camp at Tulane University. I remember when we would send them both off to Tulane and Buddy and I would use that time as a vacation. Oh, those were the days. Now we barely see the two of them. We do miss our boys, but know they are leading the lives they have chosen and may their paths lead them in to great things.

For those of you who have been wondering, Chase did have a complete MRI about a month ago and he is still "Clean" as we say. God is Good!
Have a great summer and until next time,
Judith~mother of Chase

Many updates

Chase has called giving us many updates about his day to day routine. One of them seems to be the commute. The 20 miles seems to take him anywhere from an hour to three hours. That does frustrate him, but then again, he is the one that wanted to live downtown. I know that everyone would love to hear about the events you have been planning too. They got him started right away, no hesitation. They believe in him and of course so do I. :-)

He had one of his old roomies come and visit him last week, Brian Moran, and they had a great time catching up. Brian was drafted and has many stories to tell and Chase is all ears.


These guys are Colin Bates, whose parents let Chase stay with them until he got housing, Brian Moran, the one who visited and then of course Chase. They were all roommates until they were either drafted, graduated or both. They will be friends for life. And of course I can't forget Mark Fleury, another buddy of theirs who was drafted and also playing ball. His mom and I have chatted on the phone a few times about how Chase is doing out in Chicago. Close ties to the boss man, never hurts.

This is me with Diane Fleury at last years College World Series. I think she is Chase' biggest fan....I love that about her!




On another note, I will be having back surgery this Monday, the 28th. This will be my second back fusion. From what I understand it is hereditary, thanks Daddy, and since the first one went well 5 years ago I am looking forward to another great five years after this one. :-)
I do hope that Chase will update his blog soon and let everyone know the kinds of things he is learning for a wonderful nonprofit organization. He is so good with meeting people and "bringing in the money", he takes after his Uncle Rick that way. One day Chase will be head of his own company helping out others, using his abilities he is learning now and the connections he has with baseball. I have Faith, and I know his friends, their families and of course his own family does too.
Until next time,
Judith~mother of Chase

Life in Chicago

I am happy to say that after a week of all the "unknown" in Chicago, Chase seems to be settling down and finding his place. He finally found some housing that is suitable, he has a french roommate and then two others moved in this weekend. He is relishing the fact that he is just a block or two away from Michigan Ave. and his commute to work takes only an hour. From what I hear, that is pretty good. I can't imagine doing it myself, but he is young and is learning so much that it doesn't bother him a bit.
According to his blog, he is now in charge of a project for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and therefore must seem to be doing well to have that kind of responsibility after only one week there. Needless to say we are proud parents. Hopefully we will be sent a few pictures to post. If there is one person that keeps himself busy, it is Chase. I think he got that from his father....and something that I love about both of them.
On another note, Chase's brother Jake, is playing baseball this summer for the Hi-Toms summer league in Thomasville NC. Chase did this two summers ago and now Jake is having a blast as well. They travel to many different areas of NC, play games, come home and do it all over again. You have to love baseball to be playing every day in this heat. Great experiences for these guys and great friendships are formed. If you are looking for a fun night at a ball park, come on out to Finch Field and watch the Hi-Toms. It is a great atmosphere along with loads of fun and entertainment. Look for Jake in the bullpen, that's where he'll be.




Until next time,
Judith~mother of Chase & his brother Jake

Things looking up, and yet down

Chase has had an exhausting few days beginning his new job with Ronald McDonald's Charaties and also trying to find housing. The Bates are very gracious to him to allow him to stay at their place in Naperville, but the drive was getting a bit tough. I do think now though, the hunt may be over and he will now be residing in a place right off of Michigan Ave. My question is, "who could ask for more?" I know he will enjoy that time there, get to know all about the business life of a nonprofit organization as well as make many connections and friends.

I do have a special prayer request; James Neubaur, the FOJ adopted child that the Tar Heels Baseball team supports, had to be airlifted to Duke today for surgery. It seems the brain tumor may be larger than anticipated and is causing problems with his shunts, thus some surgery. Please keep James as well as the rest of his family in your prayers. Any of you ball players still around that would like to go and see him, I know he would greatly appreciate it.

We hope to hear from Chase soon on his own blog.

Judith~mother of Chase

First Day On the Job

As I got up early this morning, I couldn't help but to wonder how Chase is doing up in Chicago by himself. I believe he is starting today by going into the business world and being shown around the Ronald McDonald Charities house. He will probably be a bit overwhelmed yet excited at the same time.
I opened up my daily devotion for this morning and this was what it said......So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go before you. He will neither fail you or abandon you. ~Deuteronomy 31:6
I really think this is fitting for Chase this morning. I pray this for you Chase.
Judith~mother of Chase

The Eve Carson Scholars's Blog

Chase has officially started his blog and it is wonderful. He really feels lead to be there and is now on the search for a place to live. However, he did stay with his friend's parents in Naperville, thanks Mr. and Mrs. Bates. They are always so nice to him, we sort of switch off with our sons. Colin is a wonderful young man who we have had the pleasure of having for dinner a few times. Great kids who work hard and deserve all that the good Lord wants to give them.

I hope you will read Chase's blog, enjoy his writing and keep up with what he is doing in the name of Eve Carson, a beautiful young lady who lost her life too soon due to an act of violence in Chapel Hill a few years ago. It is because of her legacy that Chase is having the opportunity to do what he is doing this summer.

Judith~mother of Chase

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