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Charping to get final treatment, will lead Survivors' Lap
A number of us have come to know it well as it hits close to home and affects people we know and love here in Washington-Wilkes. Most people expect a cancer diagnosis to touch adults late in life whom, one assumes, have for many years eaten the wrong foods, smoked, done little exercise, breathed bad air, and/or in general have not taken good care of themselves. The reality is that cancer strikes infants, children, teens, and young adults who have never been exposed to anything considered to be poor lifestyle choices. When Christopher Charping, a senior at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School, became ill in October of 2007, he thought he had a sore throat, maybe tonsillitis. He had been tired, but Christopher, an active student who loves the outdoors and helps his father and grandfather with baling hay, thought nothing of these symptoms. He and his parents believed the sore throat would pass. On Tuesday, October 30, Christopher did not feel well, but went to school as usual. He began to experience shortness of breath and his heart began to race. His teacher sent him to the office.Don Bridges called his mother. When she saw Christopher, it was clear to her that something was very wrong so she took him directly to Dr. Lester Johnston. He began to examine Christopher who had begun to break out from head to toe in spots that looked like freckles. (An indicator that his platelets were extremely low.) Dr. Johnston scheduled blood work at Wills Memorial Hospital. The blood workup indicated leukemia. Dr. Johnston and Marvin Goldman, WMH Administrator, arranged for Christopher to go immediately to the Medical College of Georgia whose renowned cancer team is expert in the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia. The very next day, October 31, is a date Donna and Thomas Charping will never forget. Christopher was tested, evaluated and his initial diagnosis was confirmed... Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), stage four. "Acute" means that the leukemia can progress quickly if not treated immediately. Cancer ... a diagnosis that breaks a parent's heart. Christopher had never been sick. He was a distance runner and an avid sportsman enjoying fishing, hunting, skeet shooting, and anything that would take him outdoors. Although his grandfather, Joe Charping, had been diagnosed earlier in the year with lung cancer, there was no connection to Christopher's health problems. AML is a leukemia that starts in the cells that are supposed to mature into different types of blood cells. AML starts in the bone marrow, (the softer inner part of the bones where new blood cells are made), and then moves into the blood. It can sometimes spread to other body organs. AML is just the opposite from other types of cancer that normally start in the organs of the body and then spread to the bone marrow. Both children and adults can get leukemia. There are few known risk factors. AML is more common in males than females although the reasons are unknown. Christopher and his family are courageous people with a strong faith. The oncologists at MCG set up a chemotherapy program to begin immediately. Two types of chemotherapy were recommended, a port was inserted to administer the chemo, his heart was checked to assure he could withstand the chemo and the journey to recovery began. Christopher never complained; he never questioned why he had cancer; he just said "I will never give up" and he prayed unceasingly. His parents, grandparents, his sister Amanda, and the extended family of Washington-Wilkes all began a prayer vigil. At the same time, the entire community came out in amazing support of Christopher by holding blood drives (it was anticipated that Christopher would need up to 120 pints of blood during his treatment process) and establishing a fund to help with the major costs of cancer treatment. The prayers of a loving and supportive community have helped and encouraged the Charpings to withstand the heartache of having a child diagnosed with cancer. Christopher's primary goal from the early diagnosis was to graduate with his class. He has been unable to attend his classes at W-WCHS because of his compromised immune system. It is essential to his recovery for him to stay away from crowds. Lindsey Guin has tutored Christopher to assure he would keep up with his studies during his treatments. He is on target for May 23 to walk with the Washington- Wilkes Class of 2008 to receive his diploma! The chemotherapy has worked. His final treatment and bone marrow check are scheduled this week. He is anxious for life to "get back to normal." No more chemo, no more blood transfusions, no more weekly trips to Augusta, though his oncologists will monitor him for 3-5 years. He plans to attend Athens Technical College in September to pursue a career in criminal justice.
Christopher Charping is a courageous young man and he is a cancer survivor. He has been named the Honorary Youth Chair for the 2008 Wilkes County Relay for Life and will lead the Survivors' Lap on May 2 at the Washington-Wilkes Parks and Recreation track at 7 p.m.
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