Advertisement
Chase Crawford of Laguna Niguel was once a fit, active kid with plenty tosmile about. But at 13, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Andwhile Chase was able to beat the disease and live a normal life (even havingbraces fitted by Dr. Mogavero), he was then diagnosed with Leukemia in hisjunior year of high school. He now requires blood transfusions every two tothree days, as his body has difficulty producing new blood cells to help himbattle the disease.
Advertisement
"This is a great kid who's had a really difficult time over the pastseveral years," says Dr. Mogavero. "But even chemotherapy and radiationtreatments couldn't break his spirit. He's got a strong will to live andstrives to make every day count. I just want him to have that chance. Chaseneeds blood products on a regular basis, so we're calling out to the communityto donate blood on his behalf."
On Saturday, September 20, a Red Cross BloodMobile will be at Dr.Mogavero's new San Clemente office to accept donations and interested partiescan sign up for blood donations beforehand by visiting http://www.givelife.orgusing the sponsor code (drfrank) or sign up in person. The National MarrowDonor Program (NMDP), http://www.marrow.org, will also be on hand to conductsimple cheek swabs to test for donor matches. Matches could help save thelives of others like Chase, who has been a marrow recipient. Tissue Typing isan expensive test, and the NMDP is asking donors to contribute towards thesecosts. Checks are preferred, made out to "The Marrow Foundation."
Chase, an avid fisherman who enjoys spending his free time at sea withfriends and family, recently graduated from Aliso Niguel High School and plansto attend college in Santa Barbara. He hopes to one day become a fishing boatcaptain or open a charter boat business of his own.
Throughout Chase's ordeal, his mom, Kim Quickel, blogged(http://www.chasecq.com) about their family's ups and downs, as well as theoutpouring of support they've received. "I am drawn to the quote by Aesop,"Kim wrote. "'No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.' I hopeyou all know how appreciative we are for every gesture of love and support ...Our lives will never be 'normal' again, and I think that's a good thing. Thegoodness of people has changed all of us forever."
SOURCE Dr. Frank Mogavero
