 Rachel
Pertile, mother of 6-year-old St. Jude patient Evan, has long
had compassion and respect for the men and women of the United
States Armed Forces. As a physician, Rachel once worked at a
veteran's hospital, and she knew firsthand about the
sacrifices of these soldiers. She showed her gratitude in
small ways. Sometimes, if she saw a group of soldiers at a
restaurant, she would quietly pay for their meal, hoping that
her gesture would represent the many Americans who respected
their commitment.
Brenda Bowen knew none of this when a weeping Rachel sat in
the seat next to her on a flight from Memphis. Brenda's own
compassionate heart compelled her to ask the stranger if she
was OK or if there was anything she could help with.
In Rachel's despair, she opened up to her seatmate. Rachel
told Brenda of her young son Evan, battling a brain tumor at
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Evan had undergone
surgery and radiation treatments to combat the tumor. As a
result of the treatment, his hair had begun falling out and he
had stopped eating.
Rachel and Brenda formed an immediate bond and during their
conversation, Brenda mentioned that she worked at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas. Rachel told her that Evan loved soldiers,
whom he called "Army guys." The flight ended, they exchanged
contact information and said goodbye.
Though Brenda knew she could not cure Evan, she knew there was
something she could do that might bring a smile to his face.
When she returned to Fort Leavenworth, Brenda began spreading
Evan's story, asking soldiers to write the little boy who
loved "Army guys." Brenda said she contacted a number of
high-ranking officials and they, in turn, spread the word
about Evan.
"Everyone has something they can do," Brenda said. "And people
are willing to help. All it takes is for one person to tell
another."
And one person telling another was all it took, as military
men and women of all ranks and branches around the world began
sending Evan messages of goodwill.
"Evan was over the moon," Rachel said. "I had no idea of all
that Brenda would do or the ball that she would start rolling.
Within 24 hours, members of the military started writing to
Evan. This was all because of her."
The messages from the military to the family are poignant.
Some talk candidly with Evan about the challenges they've
faced as soldiers, assuring Evan that he, too, has the
strength to overcome obstacles and that he can win his battle.
Many urged Evan to resume eating again, so he can be "Army
Strong." And he did, forcing himself to eat, even though he
did not feel up to it.
Some of the messages Evan received, such as one from Colonel
Bob Burns, director for the Center of Army Tactics at Fort
Leavenworth, talk about the inspiration Evan has given the
military.
Burns told Evan, "Thanks for helping us be tough and reminding
us what's really important in life. We're still thinking of
you. Be ARMY STRONG!"
Evan even has been made an honorary colonel by Lieutenant
General William Caldwell, commanding general of the U.S. Army
Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth.
Rachel said that Evan has even begun telling her, "You're
strong, but I'm Army Strong."
When she asks him what that means, he tells her "It's because
I'm a warrior against cancer."
Now, through Write Home for St. Jude, members of the military
have been invited to be warriors against cancer for the
thousands of children like Evan who are battling cancer and
other deadly diseases at St. Jude. As Rachel said, "The Write
Home campaign has selected Evan as the patient representative,
but there are many more children just like Evan at St. Jude."
To learn more about Evan and be a part of this campaign,
people can visit
www.stjude.org/evan to share Evan's story with friends and
family and support St. Jude, one of the world's premier
pediatric cancer research centers where no family is ever
turned away because of an inability to pay. |
Evan Pertile: A Warrior Against Cancer
