'Radiothon' this week helps raise funds for Children's Medical Center

Editor:

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As the year comes to an end and we reflect on all our blessings, we as a family have a lot to be thankful for. We have three sons - CJ, Matthew and Timothy - and one is a 7-year-old cancer survivor.

Our oldest son, CJ, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004 at the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center. For the last 3 1/2 years he has received chemotherapy on an outpatient basis at their Pediatric Oncology Clinic. This clinic setting allows a child to receive chemotherapy, sometimes on a daily basis, and then go home once it is completed.

Years ago, chemotherapy was only given on an inpatient basis in the hospital. As the times have changed, so have the needs of the clinic. More and more children are coming to Augusta for treatments. We have literally outgrown this clinic. That is why I am asking you to take a moment this week and tune into the Cares for Kids Radiothon on stations WBBQ 104.3 or 102.3 The Bull. This radiothon will be raising money for the Children's Medical Center in Augusta. Proceeds from this radiothon will go toward renovating this Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic specifically.

We are honored to support this radiothon as CJ is the Children's Miracle Network Child for 2007. CJ is in the second grade at Riverside Elementary School. He attends school full time and has a wonderful teacher, Amy Coleman. Mrs. Coleman has organized the assistance of the RES teachers, families and students to make donations in honor of CJ. These donations are being collected at the school through Thursday. CJ will then hand-deliver them to the CMC on Friday at 2 p.m. live on WBBQ.

We urge you to hear our story and the stories of so many other families and children who have received treatment at the CMC. We are thankful and so fortunate that we have this children's hospital so close to our home. Please, make the time to call in and donate this weekend. Do it for us, but especially do it because there are children like CJ.

God Bless and Merry Christmas.

Chris and Kelley Dube

Evans

Editor's note: for more information on the radiothon, go to http://www.mcghealth.org/childrens_medical_center/giving/cmn/radiothon.html.