On April 7th, 2010, our son Chris, 18, was diagnosed with Stage IIb Osteosarcoma bone cancer.  He has a malignant tumor in his left knee which at the present time is about two inches long.  The doctors are giving him a 50% cure rate.  His cancer treatment will consist of 10 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy, limb sparing surgery in July to remove the tumor and reconstruct his femur bone and then followed by a minimum of 20-50 weeks more of chemotherapy.

Chris is a runner and has participated in his Mattawan High School track and cross country team for the last three years.  He is a member of the National Honor Society and is graduating Summa Cum Laude.  He has been accepted to the University of Michigan where he would like to attend to study business and law.

Due to the various out-of-pocket costs associated with his cancer treatment that are not covered by medical insurance and his special housing and transportation needs at U of M, we are asking for donations on his behalf.  Chris would like to attend U of M this fall as a part-time student to keep busy and to keep his spirits up as he struggles with his battle against cancer.  Your non-tax deductible donation will help to offset the various costs and keep Chris strong in his personal race to defeat his cancer.

In conjunction with the Kalamazoo Area Runners club, www.kalamazooarearunners.com, and Gazelle Sports, www.gazellesports.com, his father Peter intends to train with Chris this summer to push him in a jogging stroller for the Oct 17th Grand Rapids marathon www.grandrapidsmarathon.com to help raise funds for him.    Anyone contributing to Chris’s fund in the amount of $5.00 or more will receive a Go Team Chris wristband.   Chris and his father intend to participate in the Grand Rapids marathon via My Team Triumph (http://www.myteamtriumph.org) which is a non-profit organization that allows children, teens, adults and veterans with disabilities who would normally not be able to experience endurance events participate and enjoy the feeling of crossing the finish line. 

For anyone participating in the Grand Rapids marathon who would like to remember their race, Finish Line Wine has graciously reduced the price of their personalized 26.2 wine from $39.99 to $29.99 with all sales proceeds going towards Chris's fund.  (http://www.finishlinewine.com).  This is a nice gift for any marathoner and an additional way to support Chris.

We greatly appreciate your support, prayers, encouragement and generous non-tax deductible donations.   Let’s help Chris beat cancer!  You can also support Chris’s daily fight against cancer by visiting his journal at www.caringbridge.org/visit/christophergower.

Thank you!
Sincerely, his Father and Mother,

Peter and Montse