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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Our Footprint is growing in our community.
Check out what we have been up to.
Research
Support
Scholarships
Community
Research & Awareness
GLIOBLASTOMA RESEARCH
Our Friend Christopher supports the education and science of pediatric brain tumors; specifically Glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the deadliest form of all brain tumors and has a dismal prognosis. Unfortunately, the treatment plan has not changed or improved quality or quantity of life in the last 50 years. The Glioblastoma foundation's mission is to transform the standard of care of Glioblastoma therapy and improve a patients quality and quantity of life. Our Friend Christopher lost his battle with Glioblastoma in 2020.
BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS
May is Brain Tumor Awarenss Month. During the month of May, Our Friend Christopher spreads awareness about brain tumors and the importance of early detection as well as supports and honors pediatric brain tumor patients in the community. Check out our social media page for awareness videos and action
or check out some facts from the Nationa Brain Tumor Society regarding brain tumors
https://braintumor.org/brain-tumor-information/brain-tumor-facts/
MEDULLOBLASTOMA RESEARCH
Medulloblastoma is a cancerous brain tumor that starts in the lower back part of the brain and is one of the most common brain tumors among children under the age of 16. Our Friend Christopher is honored to support the research behind this brain tumor in honor of Ella Beresee, a young woman who lost her battle with brain cancer at the young age of 16. The vision of Curemedullo is to find the best approaches to diagnose, treat, and recover from Medulloblastoma and the various complications that arise from the disease and it's treatments.
WSB CARE-A-THON
Each year the WSB Care-a-thon raises funds to benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center of Childrens Hospital of Atlanta. The Care-a-thon funds family support services, research and the Fellowship program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center.
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Our Friend Christopher is honored to be part of the Care-a-thon. by manning the phones during The Christopher hours and by sharing Christopher's story on the WSB radio station and rally support. In 2023, the Care-a-thon raised a record breaking 1.8 million dollars.
HEAD TO THE HILL
Since 2022, Our Friend Christopher partnered with the National Brain Tumor Society, The Alliance for Childhood Cancer and other organizations, patients, caregivers, and parents raising awareness and advocating for additional funding for Brain Tumor Cancer. Spreading awareness and educating decision makers about brain cancer is key to bringing about change in this area. Due to this focus, Congressional funding directed toward the brain cancer community has increased from 3% to 8% of cancer funding since 2018
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RAISING AWARENESS ON 95.5
Any chance we have to raise awareness about Pediatric Brain Tumors or tell Christopher's story is time well spent. We are always glad to gain the support of WSB radio to help us do just that. Thank you to Mark Arum and the entire team at 95.5 for giving us a leg up and helping us spread the word about pediatric brain tumors and how Our Friend Christopher has made an impact on this cancer.
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Patient Support
DYLAN
Dylan Carter , a 2 year old warrior is battling Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. As he under goes 28 days of chemotherapy, Our Friend Christopher is happy to support Dylan and his family this 2022 holiday season during their journey with this cancer and were happy to surprise Dylan with some extra holiday gifts.
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Dylan is doing well and handling his therapy like a true warrior.
HAILEY
In 2019, Young Hailey Holder was diagnosed with cancer and continues to battle it today. Her tenacity and strength to endure multiple surgeries and treatments for her sarcoma led us to support her and her family.
As they embark on this journey for the third time, it's becoming apparent that this is going to be the most costly battle yet as they are having to seek treatment out of state.
Check out Facebook or Instagram @ H2 Strong if you would like to follow or support Hailey. Continued prayers to you Hailey.
CHARLOTTE
In 2022, Our Friend Christopher is honored to give Support to Charlotte Wheeler, a four-year-old warrior facing the fight of her life. At the age of two, Charlotte was diagnosed with a large brain tumor that has been impacting her development. Charlotte has undergone multiple surgeries, and her doctors continue to lay out a plan to stabilize her tumor.
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There are over 120 types of brain tumors that impact over 85,000 children and adults each year.
CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF ATLANTA
Children with pediatric cancer spend hours in hospitals and in chemotherapy rooms. Our Friend Christopher Memorial Charity has supported the young patients at The Children's Hospital of Atlanta and the AFLAC Cancer Center for three years in a row to help make their stay a more hopeful one.
Some of the goodies we have provided include: games and puzzles, overnight care packages, warm fuzzy blankets socks as well as Christmas gifts for those spending time in the hospital during the holiday. ​
BROOKLYN
Brooklyn was a high school senior in 2022, and battling brain cancer. Prior to her diagnosis, Brooklyn was a runner, singer, song writer and actress who had many hopes and dreams for the future. In an instant her life was changed with a brain tumor diagnosis.
Our Friend Christopher was happy to help this family by supporting medical bills, and housing during treatment.
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Brooklyn finished her battle with cancer December 2022. Our hearts and prayers are with her entire family.
BLAKE BARGATZE
In 2020, Blake Bargatze was faced with an adversity no young adult needs to face, resulting in the need of an emergency double lung transplant. Our Friend Christopher Memorial Charities launched a special volleyball tournament to raise money for his surgery and travel.
One year later, Blake is doing great. His courage and will to live has never ceased to amaze us. This experience has inspired Blake to make to make it his mission to be an advocate for organ donation. We are so proud of Blake and thankful for his successful recovery.
Scholarships
BLAKE SEITZ
Congratulations to Blake Seitz for winning the 2023 Our Friend Christopher Basketball Scholarship.
Blake was chosen for his leadership skills on and off the court and his ability to improve and inspire the lives of others. Congratulations Blake. One example was when he planned and hosted the Caymol 3 v3 basketball tournament, raising money in honor of his best friend. The money raised was awarded to young adults in the community in his friends honor.
HARBIN TINNEY
The 2022 Our Friend Christopher Football Scholarship was awarded to Harbin Tinney. Harbin hopes to attend Georgia Tech University and major in Industrial Engineering. Harbin is not only a great leader and influence on the team, he holds a influential position in the community.
When Harbin in not dominating the football field he is helping to coach little league lacrosse and leading a youth group in his community church.
GUNNAR CARLBERG & JORDAN WATSON
Gunnar Carlberg and Jordan Watson were the recipients of the 2022 Our Friend Christopher Basketball Scholarships. Both our 2022 basketball scholarship winners have gone on to play on or support their college teams.
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Gunnar is attending Georgia Southern University and is a team manager for the basketball team
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JOHNATHAN HAMM
In November 2021, Johnathan Hamm was awarded The Our Friend Christopher Scholarship. Today, Johnathan is attending college at The University of Charleston West Virginia. He is balancing a major in cybersecurity while playing football as an outside linebacker. Johnathan chose The University of Charleston because it offers the best route academically. Johnathan received both an academic and football scholarship to this university.
KIARA SIMPSON
Kiara was our first basketball scholarship winner in 2021. Today Kiara is attending Reinhart University and is majoring in Digital Marketing with a minor in Sports Administration while playing basketball.
Kiara said that Christopher was an inspiration to her basketball injury rehabilitation because she had watched him overcome his cancer related adversities with such bravery.
DJ CAMERON
DJ Cameron was the first football scholarship recipient in fall of 2020. Today DJ is attending Maryville College where he is studying secondary education. DJ plays football at Maryville and proudly wears the #92, in honor of his Good Friend Christopher Miles.
DJ said that he chose to where the #92 because Christopher often coached and encouraged him to grow as a player.
Community Involvement
NORTH GWINNETT CO OP
Our Friend Christopher is all about giving back to our community. We love supporting the North Gwinnett Co Op with Back to School Items for Children in need. 92% of all food and school items distributed by the North Gwinnett Co Op is donated from neighbor hood donations.
WINKLEMAN FUNDRAISER
The Winkelman Family was the first family that Our Friend Christopher supported when we began as a campaign. It was amazing to see the community come together to give at the North Gwinnett Softball fundraiser for this young man battling some pretty scary stuff.
NG HOOPS & YOUNG LIFE
Our Friend Christopher is all about giving back to our community. We were honored to support NG Hoops and Young life, both amazing community programs that improve and inspire the lives of young adults in our community.
VOLLEY BALL TOURNAMENT
The annual volley ball tournament is a favorite fundraiser for our community. 100% of the funds raised go towards supporting charitable activities in the community.
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THE LEGEND PARTY
For three years now, Still fire Brewery has been brewing up a craft beer for Christopher "The Legend" Miles. This has been one of the most fun and engaging Fundraisers for us and the community. This Event draws hundreds of beer drinkers throughout our community.
SUWANEE MAGAZINE
Our Friend Christopher Miles was featured in Suwannee Magazine in November 2020 in
"4 Great Ways to Give Back". Check it out !
www.suwaneemagazine.com/tag/our-friend-christopher/.
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