"Keep Pounding" isn't just a phrase printed in a collar or a simple rally cry for when things get rough. It's an ideology every member of the Carolina Panthers organization and every fan should live and breathe every day. Here's our chance to shout that two-word slogan as loud as possible, all for a 14-year-old girl who needs our help.
If you don't know the story of "Keep Pounding," it originated in 2003 when linebacker Sam Mills was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly Mills lost his fight in 2005, but the message remains. The Panthers organization has used it as a simple but powerful message to those who have, or are dealing with cancer. Keep fighting, never stop, Keep Pounding.
Savanna was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia just under a year ago. It's impossible to articulate or understand what this is like for a teenager, and unimaginable what it's like to be a parent. Rather than try to explain the situation I'll let Savanna's father, Chad tell you what his family has gone through.
Savanna appeared "normal" on the weekend of December 8, 2013 as she competed in a horse show in Raleigh. It was a long weekend and we figured it had taken a toll on her. She displayed signs of being extremely tired and even a few bouts of dizziness. Two weeks later we finally took her to the doctor and figured she either had a virus or even mono as tired as she was.
That was December 12, 2013. A day later the doctor called me and stated that he believed there was a problem. Her white blood count was through the roof. Being a normal person I wasn't sure what that meant and he said I needed to get her to Brenner's immediately. I was finishing last minute Christmas shopping and I just asked to tell me what it was that he was thinking. He said, "I think Savanna has Leukemia". A few short hours later it was confirmed that our daughter had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The staff estimated the leukemia in her bone marrow at 98%. Needless to say she was high risk. No Christmas at home and the next 30 days would be spent in the hospital for the induction phase of her treatment.
It's hard to put exactly into words what she has to go through. She will be on some type of chemotherapy regimen for two and half years. She is currently going through the radiation process. She has the typical signs of leukemia treatment. She always hurts, nausea, hair loss. She gets blood transfusions because her hemoglobin levels drop. She gets platelets occasionally because those levels drop as well. She can't do the things that she wants to do, or deserves to do because she doesn't have the strength or the immune system to be around a lot of people. She tries to keep everyone happy. She loves to laugh and be silly. She lets me watch the Panthers during football season even though we tell her the hospital room is hers. She's a fighter ... a survivor.
This is where we step in. This is a big world with millions of stories like Savanna's and a thousand people we want to help. However, this is our chance -- this is what we can do with a few clicks of a button. The financial toll on her family is drastic, even with health insurance. If we can do just a little bit to help Savanna and her family in their time of need it will all be worth it. Consider this our chance for a bright spot in an otherwise horrible season
My wife Dottie and I have set up a YouCaring page for Savanna and her family. It's a secure site that will ensure every donation will do directly towards helping ease their struggles and allow them to focus solely on spending time together.
Click here to donate!
The donation page will be open for the next 40 days, ending just three days before Christmas. This CSR community has done some amazing things in the past, it's time for one more.