THE KEITH MCCLANAN COURAGE AWARD

Just 38 years old when he passed away in January 2007, Keith McClanan left an incredible impression on those who knew and loved him, particularly during his two-time battle with cancer over his final 2 ½ years. A husband and father of two young sons at the time, Keith showed tremendous strength and courage facing his disease. Never seeking sympathy, and always showing a great appreciation for life's simple pleasures, Keith approached each day with great enthusiasm and purpose. His grace and dignity during such difficult circumstances will always be a great inspiration to those who witnessed it.

Throughout his battles Keith continued to volunteer and coach youth sports in the North Attleboro community, including his role as assistant coach for the 2006 Red & White Mites team. With his sense of humor and uncanny ability to make every player he coached feel special, Keith had a very positive impact on every child he came in contact with.

This annual ceremony brings the entire NAJF community together in celebration of the courage and commitment that exists in youth athletics.   The Courage Award serves not only to remember the special qualities of “Coach Keith”, but also to recognize the achievements of other individuals who show their own strength during a difficult period in their lives while overcoming great odds to succeed as a football player, cheerleader, coach, advisor, or administrator in the NAJF organization.

AWARD PRESENTATION – Noah and Christian McClanan 2007

 As anyone who has lost a parent can attest, it can be a difficult experience no matter what your age is.  However, losing a parent as an 8 or 12-year old can be absolutely heartbreaking and present many difficult challenges for children to overcome. 

 Noah and Christian McClanan have faced those challenges head-on.  They have continued to conduct themselves as true gentlemen, excellent students, hardworking teammates, and they have remained active with their friends and family in the community.  They have offered support to their mom Holly, and they have continued to travel with their grandfather Dale in much the same way they did with Keith.  They have sought out new areas to expand themselves, with both boys participating in the North Attleboro Little League this past spring.  This fall Christian is back at this center position for the Red & White Mites, while Noah is playing his first year of football for the North Attleboro Rockets.

 Both of these boys have demonstrated more courage than most of us could ever imagine.  They have shown strength that is beyond their years, and we as an organization feel it is only fitting that we proudly present the inaugural North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award to Noah and Christian McClanan.

 Congratulations Noah and Christian, and thank you for being such a great example to all of the young men and women in North Attleboro.

AWARD PRESENTATION  -Jack Blasé 2008

 Earlier this year the Blasé family was forced to deal with the tragedy of losing their son and brother, Alex due to a brain aneurysm.  When losing a family member so suddenly, there is no measure for the courage that it takes to stand tall and move forward.  If a hero is someone that inspires those around them, then Jack Blasé  has taken hero to a new level.  A 7^th grader at North Attleboro Middle School, Jack has shown tremendous strength and courage that few others possess.  A strength that could never exist without the togetherness of his family and his ever growing heart.  Jack has inspired all around him through his actions and personality as he has conducted himself as a true gentleman, a hard worker, a friend to all around him, and a role model teammate on his LNAL baseball and NAJF football teams.

 It gives us great pride to present the 2008 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award to Jack Blasé.

AWARD PRESENTATION - Hank Ballard 2009

 Webster’s dictionary defines a person with courage as someone with “a mental or moral strength to persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty”.  By definition there is no more courageous person at this field tonight than Hank Ballard.  A member of the Comets B-level football team, Hank suffered a stroke at birth 12 years ago that left him permanently impaired on the left side of his body, particularly his hand & foot.  However, throughout his entire life Hank has never allowed his physical limitations to diminish his desire to succeed at whatever he chooses, or to dampen his enthusiasm for living life as normal as possible.

 Hank’s medical history is lengthy.  In addition to multiple surgeries on his ankle, wrist, and elbow that doctors were attempting to straighten, he has patiently endured various forms of therapy every other week since he was an infant, learning basic life skills and stretching muscles throughout his body that are abnormally inflexible due to his stroke.

 The daily obstacles faced have not deterred Hank from living life to the fullest.  He is an honor roll student at North Attleboro Middle School, and while over the years he has participated in baseball, basketball, and bowling, football is his true passion.  Hank never seeks special attention, and he never wants to be noticed on the field as anything but “another guy in uniform”. 

 However, those who know, play with, or coach him quickly agree Hank is far from just “another guy”.  Despite sometimes needing help from parents, a teammate, or coach to tie his pads, tuck in his shirt, or buckle his chinstrap, he works extremely hard to keep up with his teammates.  Nightly tasks such as running sprints, blocking, or making a tackle may sometimes cause Hank to leave practice quietly in tears from the pain of participating, yet you will never hear him complain.  Hank is a true inspiration who quickly becomes a fan favorite on every team he joins, and perhaps one of Hank’s former coaches summed it up best when he noted “Hank will never be the ‘star’ on any team he plays on, but he touches your heart when you think of how much heart he brings to your team”!

 Hank embodies those qualities in Keith McClanan that inspired this award – never seeking sympathy, and approaching his life with enthusiasm and purpose.  He presses on each day in spite of the hindrances he encounters, and he is an exceptional example of courage for all of us as he faces & conquers challenges at such a young age far greater than most people may ever have to endure. 

 For his inspirational leadership and humble approach to overcoming adversity on a daily basis, we take great pride in presenting Hank Ballard with the 2009 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award!

 Congratulations Hank, and thank you for being such a great example to all of the young men and women here tonight!!

AWARD PRESENTATION - Michele Trimbach 2010

 In April, 2009 Michele Trimbach was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Fasciitis , a very rare disorder in which muscle tissue underneath the skin, called fascia, becomes swollen and thick.  Over a period of several weeks leading up to and following the diagnosis, rapid swelling began to occur in Michele’s arms, legs, and torso and they were challenging to move.  The simplest of tasks became difficult at best, and in some cases impossible.  She could not get out of bed, raise her arms above her head, tie her own shoes, or even make a fist.  She struggled to walk as the hardening tissues decreased the pliability in her limbs.

 Suffering through the symptoms and the fear of what could be causing them, Michele eventually learned she was one of only 250 patients known to have contracted the disease in the United States since 1974.  For her doctor at Brigham & Woman’s Hospital in Boston, Michele was only the 5th case he had seen in his 40 years of practicing medicine.

 Once she was diagnosed Michele’s treatments began immediately, but not without an impact on her ability to remember details, think clearly, maintain concentration, or clarify her thoughts over a period lasting several months throughout 2009 – all side effects from her  medication.  Despite suffering these physical and mental setbacks she never sought sympathy or attention.  With help from her husband John and their three daughters, Michele made certain her commitment to them and to the North Attleboro Junior Football cheerleading program never wavered.  Paperwork for the upcoming season was completed, Little Scholar applications were organized, gym space and buses were arranged for the cheerleading competitions, she washed, cleaned, and ironed nearly 60 uniforms for multiple cheerleading competitions, competition hair bows were made for each competitor and Michele attended every team practice for the A & B competition squads during the 2009 season. Those close to her marveled at her resiliency and resolve, while the majority of those she volunteered for within NAJF had no idea about the disease she was battling.

 Michele Trimbach has been involved in North Attleboro Junior Football for 21 straight years, and she has served on the NAJF Board of Directors as a Cheer Coordinator or Co-Coordinator for the past 18 seasons.  She is a perfect example of the type of people in North Attleboro who for years have volunteered their time to create a special experience for the youth of our town, and to carry on the football tradition that has been at the heart of our community for decades. 

 A weekend in the fall here at Community Field has been enjoyed by generations of wide-eyed Pop Warner players and cheerleaders. At the core of it all are the many parents, coaches, and volunteers like Michele who dedicate their lives to continuing that red & white tradition. 

 For her courageous spirit and humble approach to overcoming adversity, and for her unending commitment and dedication to the NAJF cheerleading program, we take great pride in presenting Michele Trimbach with the 2010 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award!

 

AWARD PRESENTATION -  Zoe McMorran 2011

Imagine, if you will, you are a ten year old girl.  One day you are laughing and practicing back-handsprings and working with your stunt groups at cheerleading practice, and within a matter of weeks you find yourself in the pediatric intensive care unit at Tufts Floating Hospital for Children in Boston.  You are unable to move your left arm and leg, the result of complications that occurred during an 8-hour surgery to remove something the doctors are calling “a brain tumor”.

Imagine, if you will,  you are the parent of an active, gregarious, and outgoing daughter, heading to Boston for what you expect to be a routine MRI only to hear the words “your child has cancer and we need to operate in 48 hours”. 

Imagine, if you will, you have a sibling who is not only your twin sister but your best friend, too, and she is suddenly stricken with an illness that takes her away from you and the daily interaction you’ve both grown so accustomed to over the years living side by side. 

THIS is the story of the McMorran family.   It is a heartbreaking tale of pain, shock, and fear, but at the same time a heart-warming story of courage, optimism, sisterhood, and an uplifting community spirit.

In January of this year Zoe McMorran began experiencing a variety of symptoms that were consistent with Gastric Reflux disease (or GERD), and repeated attempts to treat this failed to resolve the issues.  Spring turned into summer and Zoe’s symptoms progressed to include fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness and other problems.   It was thought that these symptoms were the result of Lyme disease contracted at the beginning of the summer. 

 Soon it was August, and with it came the daily practice schedule that all NAJF Football and Cheerleading participants are familiar with.  Despite not feeling her best, Zoe was determined to attend every practice.  However, what had started as barely perceptible symptoms months before had become more noticeable as she struggled to perform basic cheering maneuvers she had mastered some time ago.

After consultation with her parents, Zoe’s pediatrician arranged for an MRI at Tufts Medical Center in Boston in hopes of determining if Lyme disease was causing her neurological issues.  While the answer to that question was “no”, the MRI showed a large tumor present on the right side of her brain which would require immediate surgical removal.  On September 3^rd, two days after her “quick trip” to Tufts for an MRI, a team of Neurosurgeons performed an 8 hour surgery during which they were able to remove a significant portion of the tumor.   Complications during surgery left Zoe unable to move her left arm and leg.  Several days after surgery, the pathology reports confirmed what Doctors had anticipated; Zoe had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer typically not seen in children. 

Zoe was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation on September 15^th.   While her sister Avery and other friends were starting 5^th grade, Zoe was miles away working three hours a day to regain function and control over her body.  Her progress was such that on October 7th, 36 days after leaving North Attleboro for a quick trip to Boston, Zoe and her mom returned home.

While she might be home, Zoe’s journey is far from over.  Two weeks ago, Zoe was enrolled in a clinical trial and started a six week course of ChemoRadiation treatments at Tufts Medical Center’s Neely Pediatric Oncology Clinic.   Once the radiation portion of her treatment is over, Zoe will get a 4 week rest period and then begin another series of chemotherapy treatments lasting an additional 12 to 14 months.  In addition to the treatments focusing on her cancer, Zoe will begin outpatient physical therapy at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. 

When you consider what Zoe has been through this year you realize her approach to the situation is astonishing.  Despite not feeling well and struggling to perform some of the basic activities associated with cheering, she never missed a practice with her Stars teammates at the C-level during the hot weeks in August.  And although she’d often have to step away for moments to fight through nausea, she would always return to greet everyone with a big smile on her face. 

During her time at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Zoe’s effort and attitude was remarkable.   Therapists would fight over who gets to work with Zoe.  They were invigorated by her positive energy, fun personality, and determination to get better. 

As her treatment continues, she certainly might get frustrated at times, but she never complains, and workers at the clinic have even suggested Zoe consider writing a book about her experience and what she is going through to share with others.  Although Zoe has to learn to walk with a lower leg brace, dress herself with one arm, and undergo chemo-radiation treatments, when  asked by her speech therapist to describe how her life had changed, Zoe’s answer was simple and to the point: “I don’t get to see my sister as much”.  That statement in itself perhaps best exemplifies Zoe’s positive disposition.

Zoe’s sister Avery has been a symbol of bravery herself over the past month, keeping friends and family updated on Zoe’s progress with her own upbeat personality.  Avery called every night to chat with Zoe, filling her in with the latest school gossip and updates on the cheerleading team’s progress as they prepare for competition.  Zoe’s classmates write journals and notes to her daily, and Avery is the conduit for delivering those messages with the “Zoe Monkey” that sits in Zoe’s desk at school to help her feel like she is still part of the class.  Even with unexpected chaos unfolding in the world all around her, Avery has not missed a beat as far as her own schoolwork or activities despite what’s going on with her sister.

Based on Zoe’s optimistic approach to her ordeal her dad wanted to come up with a catchy phrase on the hospital’s care page website for her, and the term OpZOmist was born.  An optimist is someone who is always hopeful; someone who has a tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things.  An OpZOmist is someone who is praying for Zoe to recover well, and sending her love, support, and positive energy.

Zoe and Avery - OpZOmist and brAVERY.  Together these two young sisters are the inspiration behind a groundswell of OpZOmism  that is sweeping throughout the town and beyond.  Websites have been developed for it;  local business signs reflect it;  bracelets and bumper stickers proclaim it.  On a daily basis the McMorrans experience acts of kindness and generosity from friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers.  Meals are cooked for the family so they can maximize the time spent with their daughter in Boston, and fundraisers have helped offset some of the gas, meals, and unexpected costs that come with this entire process

Adversity presents individuals a chance to find strength they may never know they had.  

Adversity also provides a community like North Attleboro an opportunity to draw together as one, and to demonstrate support for those in need.  It gives reason for all of us to come together in the spirit of Keith McClanan to honor the courage of Zoe, and to also bring encouragement and hope to the entire McMorran family by  letting them know that tonight especially, but every day that follows, they are surrounded by opZOmists!  Noted one North Attleboro resident who experienced a similar outpouring of strength when his family struggled through a very difficult time in their lives several years ago:  “It’s easy to be strong when you have thousands of hands holding you up”.

With those sentiments in mind and in recognition of her inspirational spirit, it gives us great honor to present the 2011 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award to Zoe McMorran.

AWARD PRESENTATION- Patrick Fitzgibbons 2012

Patrick Fitzgibbons, affectionately known as “Fitzy”, is a lifelong resident of North Attleboro who has made an enduring mark on this town and in our football community throughout his entire life.

Like many of the young boys in attendance tonight Fitzy was a North Attleboro Pop Warner player, and he played his high school football wearing the Red and White right here on Community Field.  As a 1973 senior Pat was a standout two-way starter and tri-captain who helped lead North High to a Division 3 Super Bowl championship, and he was voted into the Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame for his outstanding high school career.  Described by Rocketeer Coach Ray Beaupre as “a fierce competitor, and one of the most determined athletes I’ve ever coached”, Patrick went on to a distinguished football career at Boston University where he earned the coveted Harry Agganis Trophy as B.U.’s outstanding student-athlete in his final year with the Terriers.  For the past 18 years  Pat has been known as “Coach Fitzy” to the hundreds of North Attleboro boys he has passed along his football knowledge and life lessons to as they made their way up through the NAJF organization.

Sergeant John Jennings of Attleboro is a 42-year old husband and father of two young children who had been diagnosed with a progressive form of kidney disease that would one day require him to have a kidney transplant.   For five years he had been battling the disease, but in 2011 his kidney function suddenly dropped, leaving him so drained by his illness he could barely spend time with his children when he arrived home after work.  An Iraq War veteran and 21-year Army National Guardsman, John was placed on a transplant list last August, but told it would most likely take years before a donor could be found.

An article appearing in The Sun Chronicle last August about Sergeant Jennings’ situation caught Fitzy’s eye.  After reading through the story and knowing his own O+ blood type matched what the soldier needed, and unbeknownst to John Jennings, Fitzy made a phone call that would begin an incredible 3-month journey for two men who had never even met each other before.

Week after week for 3 months without anyone outside his immediate family knowing, Pat underwent countless tests at Rhode Island Hospital designed to determine his own health and ability to be an anonymous organ donor to a man in need.  When testing was completed it was confirmed -  Pat was the perfect match to provide a kidney, and without hesitation Fitzy checked himself into the hospital on November 7^th where he underwent a 3-hour operation to have one of his kidneys removed so it could be surgically transplanted into a stranger he still did not know.  There are never any guarantees that a recipient’s body will “accept” a new organ in this manner, but the surgeries for both men went very well.  John’s body had indeed accepted the organ, and two days later John and Fitzy met each other for the first time.

Ever so humble and never seeking the limelight, Pat Fitzgibbons insists this opportunity to help another human found him through that newspaper article, and as he passed each and every medical test with flying colors Fitzy became convinced it was his fate to follow through on this endeavor based on his strong faith in God, and God’s plan for him.  Fitzy never wavered in his quest to help John Jennings despite knowing that he himself would face a six to eight-week recovery period, and there were no guarantees the procedure would even be successful for the recipient.

Perhaps the parents of players on Fitzy’s team in 2011 captured the true essence of this heartwarming story when they responded through eMail with these quotes after learning of his actions:

Ø  “There really are angles in this world”.

Ø  “An unbelievable story to show the strength of the human spirit”.

Ø  “What an incredible gift for Mr. Jennings, but also for Fitzy’s players and their parents to witness”.

Ø  Or quite simply “Coach Fitzgibbons is a true hero”.

As we gather together tonight we have many reasons to pay tribute:

Ø  We salute Sergeant Jennings and thank him for his 21 years of service to our country!

Ø  We celebrate the new lease on a higher quality of life John, Rebecca, and their children are now able to enjoy!

Ø  We applaud the Fitzgibbons and Jennings families for their ongoing effort to raise awareness around the importance of finding organ donors for the nearly 100,000 Americans currently on waiting lists today for vital organ transplants.

And lastly, in the spirit of Coach Keith McClanan we take great pleasure in recognizing the amazing, selfless gift, and remarkable act of kindness offered by Patrick Fitzgibbons by awarding him the 2012 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award!!

AWARD PRESENTATION - Charlie Parker 2013

For the past 30 years anyone who has been involved with North Attleboro Junior Football knows Charlie Parker as a permanent fixture in the NAJF organization.  His willingness to perform any duty or service – be it on the field, in the concession stand, or behind the scenes at a board meeting – epitomizes the true spirit of volunteerism that runs so deep in the fabric our North Attleboro community.  Charlie is the first person to arrive to help set up both Beaupre and Community Fields on game day; and he is also one of the last to leave after trash has been picked up and equipment put away at the end of the night.

As a “coach” Mr. Parker is passionate and committed to teaching his young players, driving them with enthusiasm and an infectious positive energy to deliver their best effort in every practice and game.  His mission is to ensure every boy enjoys the most positive experience possible playing Pop Warner football, regardless of the player’s background or skill level, and his players love him back for his comforting words of encouragement.  It is well known that Coach Parker has a strong desire for sweet snacks, and his players love to bring him cookies, cake, and candy treats to practice on a regular basis.

Last August, however, Charlie’s world was turned upside down when a routine medical exam revealed a tumor that later would be confirmed as Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer by the staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.  He immediately began both chemotherapy and radiation treatments on a daily basis at Dana Farber Hospital, a process that would last for several months, and on December 14^th Charlie was operated on to remove the tumor with excellent results.  At that time his doctors felt they extracted 100% of the tumor, although Charlie’s strength and desire to overcome suffering would continue to be challenged in the months ahead when he began limping for no explainable reason.  Another ten weeks of chemo followed to ensure the cancer had not returned before doctors ultimately determined the constant radiation on his colon had led to a full fracture in his hip. 

So just five months ago in May of this year, Coach Parker endured two more major surgeries in the course of just three weeks – one to reverse a colostomy that was temporarily constructed back in December, and another to completely replace his hip.

To see what Charlie has battled through at the spry young age of 63 years old is truly remarkable, and during his treacherous 14-month journey he has shared with his wife Cathy numerous times that his family, friends, and football are what keep him going.  Despite his life-changing ordeal Charlie has never lost his desire to serve the youth of North Attleboro.  He insisted his treatments be done in the mornings so he could make practice every night, and he attended them all; his priority is and always has been “the kids” first, and he did not want to let his players down.  He is still the first one to arrive and the last one to leave each weekend, helping make sure the NAJF experience continues for all involved despite the misfortune he has been battling.

Former Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame Coach Vince Lombardi once said “We all have challenges in our lives.  Often the difference in the outcome of the challenge is how we handle it going in.  You get to make a choice every time something comes up and seems out of your control.  These challenges build courage and character, teaching us about ourselves, others, and the world around us.  Reach deep inside and use courage to embrace any challenge.  There is not a single person who rose to greatness that did not have challenges.  Some people let a challenge defeat them, while others rise to great heights”.

Charlie Parker exemplifies those words of Lombardi.  He made a choice to face his challenges head-on with such a positive attitude, and his will to overcome the health obstacles life threw at him has served as a great lesson to his relatives, friends, and his many past & current players. 

Now back to working 30 hours and attending therapy twice per week, Charlie admits he has cherished his time spent coaching football for so long in this town, particularly during the special years when he was able to share the sidelines with his sons Jeffrey and Matthew, and later with his grandson Justin.  Thankfully for all of us, Coach Parker shows no sign of ever wanting to give up his volunteer efforts or the close relationships he shares with his players year after year. 

For his strong work ethic, selflessness, perseverance, and unwavering endeavor to overcome adversity (all traits he shares with the award’s namesake Keith McClanan), there could be no other person more deserving of tonight’s ceremony;  we take great pleasure in recognizing Charlie Parker by presenting  him with the 2013 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award!!

AWARD PRESENTATION- Danielle Ferro 2014

As a young girl growing up in North Attleboro in the early 1990’s, Danielle Chretien’s fall months were spent the same way many of the girls you see on Community Field honoring her tonight spend their nights and weekends – she was an NAJF cheerleader.  From 1991 thru 1996 Danielle climbed the ranks from the Mite level to the Rockets team, and during her high school years she continued to stay involved as a cheer coach as well.

 Twelve years ago, however, Danielle began experiencing severe pain before, during, and after eating.   When she lost over 40 pounds in a six-week period for no explainable reason at the age of just 19 years old, it was discovered that Danielle had Crohn’s disease.  Crohn’s is an  inflammatory disease of a person’s digestive tract which leads to severe abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and malnutrition.  While doctors do not really know specifically what causes Crohn’s, it is possible a virus or bacteria may trigger the disease’s onset.  As a patient’s body tries to fight off the new virus when it first appears, his/her immune system may also abnormally begin to attack the body’s own digestive system.   Intestines begin to swell in size, and the development of deep open sores throughout the digestive tract effect the normal flow of food throughout the body.

 Unfortunately for Danielle, efforts to contain her discomfort through a variety of medications over the past decade did not work.  The inflammation and ulcers led to a dangerous narrowing of her intestines, and eating any type or amount of food simply led to more pain and irritation….a vicious cycle which at one point had her living on crackers and in constant pain 24 hours a day. 

Finally, last October Danielle endured a 4-hour surgery at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington to remove portions of her intestine. Her recovery was long and hard over a 5-month period, keeping her laid up for most of the winter.  She is forever grateful for the tremendous support from fellow football parents and school parents who assisted her with family meals and help watching her children while she recovered.  Crohn’s is a lifelong issue Danielle must always deal with, but thankfully over the past four months the pain attacks have been minimized to some extent, and she is back to eating close to normal.

 Despite her daily battles with Crohn’s over the past 12 years, working full-time, juggling responsibilities at home, and raising four young boys under the age of 10 with her husband Mario, Danielle was still front and center to step-up as “Team Mom” for this year’s NAJF Suns D-team – a role she has played for the past few years as her boys have begun their Pop Warner football careers.  Danielle can also be counted on to volunteer her time assisting with the Kryptonite wrestling program or lacrosse programs in town, and she organized a team of 30+ walkers this past summer to help raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, appropriately calling themselves “Ferro’s Fighters”.

 Noted Danielle’s friend and Courage Award Nominator Jolie House:  “Danielle will not let this disease get her down or dominate her life, and she is determined to be at every one of her boys’ practices and games if possible.  Danielle is a humble fighter and an inspiration to all of us parents”.

 In recognition of that fighting spirit, her perseverance, and willingness to help others while enduring the difficulties life has thrown at her, we take great pleasure in recognizing Danielle Ferro by presenting her with the 2014 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award!!

AWARD PRESENTATION- Lisa Deck 2015

Just one week before her college graduation in 1997, 21-year old Lisa Deck suffered what would be the first of three strokes she would endure over a 3-year span while living in Washington D.C.  Diagnosed eventually with an inflammation of blood vessels in the brain known as Central Nervous System Vasculitis, Lisa underwent four years of intense treatments that included a combination of chemotherapy, blood thinning medication, high-dose steroids, and occupational therapy to regain full use of her left hand that had been affected.

With her disease officially declared “in remission” by September, 2001, the next fourteen years of her life returned to normal.  She and Brian married in 2005, together they started a family that now includes Kaitlyn and Zack, and they eventually settled here in North Attleboro 8 years ago.  Lisa also became a National Spokeswoman for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, sharing her story to help educate and raise awareness on the issue of women with heart and cardiovascular disease….and the importance for women of all ages to pay close attention to their own heart’s health.

In March of this year, however, Lisa’s life took an unexpected turn when she began feeling quite fatigued and started experiencing her typical stroke symptoms- left sided numbness- in her face, arm and leg- that didn’t subside like usual.  Recognizing these symptoms from her past history, Lisa sought medical attention and soon learned she was suffering yet another stroke.  A month later at RI Hospital it was determined the stroke was due to a very rare condition called Moyamoya disease.

Moyamoya is a disorder caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain.  As normal blood vessels narrow and become blocked, the proper amount of blood cannot flow to the brain.  In the United States the risk of developing Moyamoya is less than one in 100,000, and no medication can stop or reverse the progression of the artery continuing to narrow over time.  In Lisa’s case she would eventually learn that only 1/7^th of the proper amount of blood was flowing to either side of her brain, and the only way to address the issue was through bilateral brain bypass surgery.  Without surgery the majority of individuals with Moyamoya will experience mental decline, multiple strokes, or severe hemorrhaging that can be fatal.

In June the Deck’s traveled to Stanford University Medical School for 3-weeks where Lisa would undergo two separate brain surgeries that took place just one week apart.  Doctors worked to redirect blood flow from her scalp to the deprived areas on both sides of Lisa’s brain that were lacking the proper supply.  Each surgery which included a direct and indirect bypass lasted 8-10 hours, and at one point each side of the brain was shut down for 17-20 minutes while doctors worked to bypass the blocked middle cerebral artery.  

Post-surgery complications with speaking and reading had to be addressed, but over time those side-effects have subsided.   Facing her own mortality, anxiety about the surgeries, and stress of leaving her young children for three weeks to face such an enormous challenge was crippling, but with the support of her husband, parents, children, perhaps the most experienced and talented Moyamoya surgeon in the country, and an army of supporters who called themselves Team Lisa, she made it through.

Now just 3 ½ months later, Lisa Deck stands before us tonight not only as a symbol of courage, but some may even say a medical marvel who has survived 4 strokes, 2 brain surgeries, and countless post-stroke side effects over the past 18 years.  Her determination and perseverance facing such terrifying situations over an incredible two decades has been an inspiration to those close to her, and everyone associated with the NAJF organization takes great pride in recognizing Lisa with the 2015 North Attleboro Junior Football  Courage Award.

As Julie and Tom Grover excitedly prepared for the birth of their 4^th child they received devastating news in Julie’s first trimester that their unborn baby, a boy, had a very serious medical condition that could be life threatening.  Needless to say, the last six months of the pregnancy was never without worry or concern for their first son, who would soon complete the Grover family along with their three beautiful daughters Holly, Summer, and Sofia.

On April 15, 2015 little Mikey was born with several congenital heart defects.  Congenital heart defects are problems in the heart's structure that are present at birth. Approximately 1 in every 100 newborns have congenital heart defects, which can range from mild to severe, and the cause of most congenital heart defects is unknown.  The heart is the central pump of a person’s circulatory system, and it normally consists of multiple chambers and valves that play specific roles in helping to circulate blood throughout the body.  However, abnormalities in the heart’s structure can affect its ability to function properly, and in Mikey’s case he is missing the critical physical separation between certain chambers.  He is basically living with half a heart which is creating numerous, complex issues.  It is nearly impossible for him to separate oxygenated blood from the deoxygenated blood, and then distribute the blood properly between his lungs, his heart, and the rest of his body’s vital tissues and organs.

Now just 17 months old and already a survivor of two open heart surgeries, Mikey is monitored closely by an amazing healthcare team at Boston’s Children’s Hospital.  He is also preparing for a 3^rd heart procedure in November when doctors will attempt to re-route oxygenated blood to his lungs properly – a procedure that will have him admitted to the hospital for 1-2 weeks.  Despite being on multiple heart medications and a feeding tube to supplement his inability to eat and gain weight, Mikey always has a smile on his face.   He is an inspiration to his terrific parents and sisters who provide around-the-clock love and support to their little man.

With Tom working 60 hours/week and Julie at home with four kids, throughout this entire heartbreaking ordeal the Grover family continues to think of others.  Julie has been busy collecting donations from businesses, family, and friends for care packages she calls “Brave Packs” – filled with snacks, coloring books, and other basic necessities that are distributed to other families’ parents and siblings who have long stays at Children’s Hospital.  They recently hosted a pool party for 26 Comet cheerleaders, assisted with fundraising for last year’s Rocket cheerleaders cheerleading championship trip, and they have already committed to work in the concession stand this season for NAJF when needed.

The Grover Family exemplifies what the Keith McClanan Courage Award is all about, and the characteristics Keith was known for.  Holly, Summer, and Sofia stay active in school and extracurricular activities while having to watch their baby brother struggle through difficult times, while Tom and Julie press on – energized by their son’s courage, and determined to see him through his life-threatening challenges. 

The Grover Family is inspirational and strong – Mikey Strong – and our entire NAJF organization is extremely proud to recognize them all with the 2016 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award!

By definition, the word courage represents “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain, without fear”.  Often times we witness with great admiration when ordinary people rise up to meet extraordinary challenges, and our guest of honor tonight truly symbolizes this characteristic.

For the past 7 ½ months Charmine’s life has been a whirlwind of compelling events and emotions, ranging from genuine excitement to significant misfortune.  Consider if you will a 90-day stretch earlier this year that first saw this 40-year old mom move her family in early March into a new home in a new town, with both excitement and trepidation; she then discovered a lump that would soon be diagnosed as Stage 3 Breast Cancer on May 8^th; learn two weeks later she was pregnant; and lastly she endured multiple hours of surgery on May 26^th while doctors performed a mastectomy as a first step to rid her body of the cancerous cells.

A diagnosis of breast cancer during pregnancy adds several complexities to cancer treatment recommendations.  Doctors must strike a balance between caring for Charmine the cancer patient, while also protecting the health and development of her unborn baby.  After a 6-week post-surgery recovery period Charmine began chemotherapy treatments that will continue each week until Thanksgiving.  Side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and pain & discomfort in muscles and joints persist, but unfortunately many medications that normally help counteract these effects cannot be prescribed to a pregnant woman “so I just deal with them”, Charmine says matter-of-factly.

It is so fitting that we honor Charmine tonight as she fiercely wages her breast cancer battle with grit and determination.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease, the value of screenings and early detection, and treatment options available to the 249,000 people who are diagnosed every year with breast cancer in the United States. 

The road ahead calls for doctors to induce early labor to deliver her baby in late December, and beginning shortly thereafter in early January Charmine will begin a 6-week, 5-days/week radiation treatment cycle to hopefully eliminate any remaining cancerous cells once and for all.

Her story is perhaps summed up best by her friend and fellow Courage Award recipient Lisa Deck who notes “I’m proud to know Charmine and I’m inspired by her fighting spirit.  Charmine is the epitome of inner strength, courageously undergoing her treatment while taking care of her son and her unborn baby.  She does not miss any of her son’s practices or games, even if she does not feel well, because, as Charmine calmly states ‘that’s what moms do’”.

Charmine Duest embodies the true essence of the Keith McClanan Courage Award, and our entire NAJF organization is extremely proud to recognize her as our 2017 North Attleboro Junior Football Courage Award recipient!

Keith McClanan Award Receipients at the 2015 induction ceremony for Lisa Deck!

Left to Right-

2014 Danielle Ferro,  2009 Hank Ballard, 2007 Noah McClanan, 2015 Lisa Deck & Family, 2013 Charlie Parker, 2012 Patrick Fitzgibbons, 2010 Michele Trimbach, front 2011 Zoe McMorran