Chase’s W15H
Hello December 5th, 2015
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As a State Title winner in swimming, 14-year-old Chase has always loved the sport. After being invited to an elite swim clinic, Chase was on the path to being part of the national swim team in just a few short years. However, his future in the water was put in jeopardy after a diagnosis surfaced…
Chase’s Story
Through all the sports that were open to Chase, he found his one passion in swimming. Chase would watch swim meets on TV and pause, rewind, replay, and then practice flip turns on the couch. His commitment to the sport spoke volumes of the young man’s dedication and character, which would later be tested in ways that many of us could never understand.
Chase was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, at the age of 13. This took him out of the water and made him unable to participate in the sport he loves. In regards to his diagnosis, Chase’s mom shared, “Hearing that he can’t be in the water and that it would be about a year until he could get back to training was one of the few times that Chase mourned during this. He is one tough kid! He takes it all in stride and knows that there are certain steps that need to be made to get back on track. He is being patient and trusting, but a 14-year-old boy can only do this so long.”
Chase’s faith in God gives him hope, and for this weekend, we hope he finds a little more encouragement and inspiration from his W15H. “Chase has always loved Tim. When he was on the podium for his first State Title, he wore the Phil. 4:13 eye patches that we bought when we were at the University of Florida’s bookstore,” said Chase’s mom. “Chase loves his faith in Jesus! He loves his drive and his desire to keep serving even though he gets knocked down.”
Chase’s W15H
Chase’s W15H will be the eighth official W15H experience of 2015. On Friday, Chase traveled to Atlanta, GA, where he was greeted by a limo. To continue the VIP treatment, his stay at the Grand Hyatt Buckhead was ushered in with a red carpet surprise welcome party.
After check-in, Chase headed to a special lunch at the Cheesecake Factory at Lennox Mall, where he also found a generous gift card for his personal shopping pleasure.
The surprises kept coming, as Chase was given the opportunity to meet the Florida Gator football team prior to the SEC Championship game with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Following the wonderful Friday afternoon, Chase spent one-on-one time with Tim during a dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
This morning, Chase will get to experience the energy of the Dr. Pepper SEC FanFare for pregame activities. The fun includes celebrity quarterbacks, pep-rallies and more pregame excitement. He will then head over to the set of SEC Nation, which will broadcast half of their show in the World Congress Center where the FanFare is going on, and the other half of their show from the sidelines of the Georgia Dome. Saturday will conclude with VIP treatment at the game, which kicks off at 4PM.
Chase will fly back home on Sunday after a weekend of fun and football. Please join us in prayers for Chase and his family, that this weekend will be one of rejuvenation and hope.
