The past month has been a personal roller coaster, having been diagnosed with breast cancer, experienced my first hospital stay, surgery and now facing chemotherapy. Even in the midst of turmoil good things do emerge. On the day of my diagnosis a friend introduced us to a doctor on a mission, Dr. John Waples. His passion is helping Kids Hunting For a Cure.

According to Dr. Waples, "Kids Hunting For A Cure all started years ago when Dave Norval and 3 guys took some kids turkey hunting in Savannah, TN attempting to raise money for St. Jude.  The event raised $4,000 the first year, $40,000 the second and $150,000 this past spring. St. Jude is the primary beneficiary and Russel Hill Cancer Research Foundation also benefits. We raise money primarily through auctions of donated merchandise (primarily hunting related).  The hunting industry has been amazingly supportive and we allow booths at our events to show their products.  In the past, Bad Boy Buggy has donated a vehicle for the event, Wal-Mart gave $1,000, Gander Mountain, Sportsman's Warehouse, B.A.S.S and numerous smaller companies are donating a variety of their products."

Please consider donating funds or merchandise to this great cause.
For more information log on to www.kidshuntingforacure.com

During the recent Mathews Archery Invitational I discovered another program based in Mechanicsburg, IL trying to make a difference in kid's lives by introducing them to the outdoors through a unique hunting experience. Kids On The Hunt let's kids go hunting while a professional videographer records their experience. The kids and their guardian or mentor get a valuable keepsake of the experience. But the kids also have something to show their friends, who in turn want to be on camera and try their hand at hunting. Through the power of the video camera an added incentive to try hunting is added. This may be just the added boost to get someone who otherwise had no interest in hunting to give it a try so they too can have their own personal video taped experience. Kid's On The Hunt web site let's kids post their photos and video clips to share with others, another great incentive. For more info check out www.kidsonthehunt.com.

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On a personal note, I would like to thank all of my friends in the hunting industry for their prayers, good wishes and words of encouragement. I know your prayers have made a huge difference in my progress toward a successful recovery. And thanks to Dr. Leonard and the participants in the Baldy Awards during the Archery Trade Show for helping to raise money to cure cancer. For more information on Dr. Leonard's research check out http://www.immunoviva.com/immune_system/origin_story.htm