Angelo Cerchione
2008 Taylor Dumke
Courage Award
Recipient
Badge Bowl VII
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History of the Badge Bowl |
| Badge Bowl I-2002 In July 2002 the Dumke family received devastating news. Their seven year old daughter, Taylor, had a brain tumor. Medulloblastoma to be specific. Taylor was an active, athletic little girl. She played soccer and was a cheerleader for the WCAA (Wesley Chapel Athletic Association). This is in the “New Tampa” area. The WCAA heard of this and wanted to do something to support the family. This is how the Badge Bowl begun. The first year it was held at Wesley Chapel High School and it is estimated 1,000 attended and raised about $8,000. Taylor is doing well. She is now thirteen years old and attends Weightman Middle School. She has been cancer free for five years. Badge Bowl II-2003 The following year the Badge Bowl Committee was trying to decide how to select another family to help. Sadly, Captain Bill Wade of Tampa Fire Rescue solved this problem. His step-son, Daniel Frydrych, was diagnosed a year after Taylor, it was Medullablastoma too. The Badge Bowl was moved to Wharton High School in New Tampa. Once again, it was very successful. Approximately 1,500 people attended and about $15,000 was raised. Sadly, Daniel Frydrych died in February 2006. Badge Bowl III-2004 By this time, the Lightning Foundation approached a Badge Bowl committee member and asked to help. They donated $2,000 to give the committee the money to start their own non-profit corporation, The Foundation of Courage. In 2004 Desirae Bravo was selected. She was 4 years old when diagnosed with leukemia. She was beyond excited when we told her of the fun night planned for her, where she would be awarded the Foundation of Courage, Courage award. She never made it to the Badge Bowl, she died two weeks prior. Desirae was six years old. The event went on as planned and approximately $21,000 was raised with over 2,000 people in attendance. Badge Bowl IV-2005 The Badge Bowl Committee selected James Davis. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 4. The event raised $31,000 and well over 2,000 people attended. James had a blast that night. He defied all odds and fought this horrible disease extremely hard. After four years and a total of four separate cancer diagnosis, James died August 2006. Badge Bowl V-2006 Bade Bowl V was another fun filled night with football, food, fun and games. Jimmy Reichert, a seven year old boy with leukemia received the Courage Award that evening. Once again, Jimmy’s family received assistance with household expenses (i.e. mortgage, utilities). Additionally, with the help of the money raised at the Badge Bowl, The Krewe of Augustina and the Children’s Cancer Center, the Reichert Family received a beautiful pre-owned mobile home. Their family of four had been living in a 600 square foot mobile home in need of much repair. Their new home is 1,400 square feet with all new appliances donated by Famous Tate and new furniture donated by Rooms To Go. Jimmy put up a long and hard fight, but lost his battle with cancer on July 23, 2008. Badge Bowl VI-2007 Badge Bowl VII was another success. Nearly $40,000 was raised. Brooke Martin, a four-year old with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, received the Courage Award that evening. Her family has made many financial and personal sacrifices to accommodate her care and the associated costs. Brooke’s family received assistance with household expenses (i.e. rent, utilities). Brooke continues her treatments and continues to warm the hearts of all that meet her. Badge Bowl VII-2008 Badge Bowl VII will be held on November 22, 2008 at Wharton High School. Gates will open at 5 pm with food, Radio Disney, a rock climbing wall, bungy jumping, bounce house, face painting, a raffle and lots of fun. This year’s recipient is Angelo Cerchione. He is a 7 year-old boy who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on August 22, 2005. At the time of diagnosis his father, Eddie was deployed overseas. He currently active military in the air force. Angelo is 3 years into treatment and is almost finished with his protocol. Angelo has an older sister, Isabella who is 9 years old. She is a wonderful big sister and “mom” to Angelo. With all of the turmoil in their lives, Angelo’s mom still has made time to pursue a career in nursing for which she is currently in school for. With multiple family sacrifices they still seem to remain strong and fight each day as it comes. |
