Posts by Erin Chance
‘Press On to CURE Childhood Cancer’ Funds New Cancer Therapy Program at the Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Radiation Program
Atlanta, Georgia – June 26, 2012 – Press On to CURE Childhood Cancer will help fund a new radiation therapy program at the Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta with a $200,000 donation. This funding will help with construction of the specialty radiation room, named in honor of Patrick Chance, and other aspects of the MIBG service. Patrick passed away in January 2012 after valiantly fighting neuroblastoma for more than five years. There are currently only a small number of centers around the country who currently offer MIBG treatment.
Read More6th Annual Play For Patrick
Please support the 6th Annual Play for Patrick Tennis Tournament Weekend May 17 – 20, 2012 The Play for Patrick Tennis Tournament is a fun-filled community fundraiser at Druid Hills Golf club benefiting the Press On to Cure Childhood Cancer Fund. The event includes: Men, Women, Mixed, Pro-Am and Junior Tennis Events Family Barbeque with…
Read MoreOrlando!
As I write this, Stephen and Patrick are in Orlando with our dear friends, Scott and Cannon. They are staying at the Nickelodeon Hotel, and the boys were thrilled about getting slimed. They are visiting Legoland today, and to say that Patrick is excited is a vast understatement! Tomorrow, they will fish the St. John’s River and then cheer the Dawgs onto an SEC Championship victory (a tall order, but you gotta believe!). Patrick has been begging to go fishing since missing his annual fall fishing trip in October. I am so happy he feels well enough to enjoy this opportunity!!
Read MoreThankful
We received some extremely good quality of life news on Thursday – our next round of hu14.18 will be here in Atlanta! We are thrilled…. as you can imagine the separation of Patrick and me from Stephen and the girls is difficult and lonely. We are thrilled that our separation will be a matter of a mile rather than almost 800 miles!
Read MoreUneventful
Quick update: Despite the intense buildup to infusion time, today was relatively uneventful. The only pain was caused by the IV. There was a little nausea, but that can be any day for Patrick. There was a lot of boredom. The next two days loom LONG for us, but we are taking care of business!
Read MoreFinding the Joy
I have started this update several times, but the words keep failing me. I want to find an eloquent way to tell you and myself that everything is wonderful and that Patrick’s cancer is cured. Unfortunately, the truth is that the scans yesterday were not good no matter how positively you try to look at them. This was not a surprise, but it was still painful. Patrick has extensive disease in his shoulders, arms, spine, and legs. Amazingly and in keeping with his character, he has not complained one time of pain, which is unbelievable when you look at those scans.
Read MorePlay for Patrick – Thank You!
We are humbled by the amazing success of our fifth annual Play for Patrick Tennis Tournaments. We are still in the process of tabulating the results of the weekend, but we estimate that we raised around $75,000!!! I am grateful to the many people who helped plan the weekend, donated items to the auction, sponsored our efforts, and donated to the cause.
Read MorePlay for Patrick 2011
Thanks to all of the players, sponsors and friends for making Play for Patrick 2011 a tremendous success!
Read MorePress On
Patrick has enjoyed his best summer in recent memory. His last 5 summers have been dominated by intense treatment, hospitalization, and travel. This summer, due to many factors that I am going to refrain from venting about here, his treatment has been minimal. This has allowed him to spend a ton of time playing with friends, fishing, tubing, going to the beach with his best friend, and relaxing in the mountains. … read more
Read MoreClear!
We were blessed with a wonderful surprise this morning when Patrick’s MIBG scan was clear!!!! Although this doesn’t mean he is in remission due to the very probable marrow disease, we are thrilled that his low disease burden means treatments may be more effective.
Read MoreLast Day of School
What an emotional day for me, and I presume Patrick is feeling it, too. Today is our last day of school, which is a bittersweet day for all families. Another year gone by, another sign of how fast childhood passes. Today is more than that for me. As some of you know, we have decided to home school Patrick next year for a variety of reasons.
Read MoreEeking under the Limit
posted on CarePages, April 16, 2011 Stephen and Patrick are on a flight home as I type this update, a little later than the scheduled arrival time. Patrick’s radiation level was 6.5 this morning, barely below the release limit of 7. We were concerned that he would be inpatient a little longer this time because…
Read MoreReflection on this Holiday Season
Countless times throughout the year many families, just like the Chances, leave their regular lives to visit our resort and enjoy a few days away from their ordinary troubles. Therefore, I have two wishes as we embark on this holiday season. My first hope is that we all find inspiration in the story of the Chance family and realize that every day we don’t just serve guests, we touch human lives.
Read MoreKissing the Sidewalk
Yes, kissing the sidewalk is what Patrick was doing when he jumped out of the car beside our house this evening. OUR HOUSE!!! He literally laid down on the ground and smooched the cement like it was his favorite Valentine.
Read MoreOpen Windows
When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window. – Maria from The Sound of Music
Read MorePressing On
There are times in life when you know the content of a message before it is received, and Monday night proved to be one of those moments. Patrick’s scan was read as “stable” last week in Philadelphia, but it looked horrible to me, leaving me unsettled and anxious.
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