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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Our Footprint is growing in our community. 
Check out what we have been up to.

Patient Support

Patient Support

Improving &Inspiring the Lives of Others

PAXTON

In March 2025, Paxton was involved in an accident the cause sever traumatic brain injury impacting his ability to use his physical and  cognitive functions.    After spending 4 months at Scottish Rite healing and rehabilitating, Paxton was able to go home.   But his journey is not over as Paxton continue to learn to retain his physical abilities.  Every 9 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury.  More than 5.3 Americans  live with a traumatic brain injury disability. Paxton has so much spirit and is determined to overcome this challenge. Paxton's Journey 

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CHARLOTTE

In 2022, Our Friend Christopher is honored to give Support to Charlotte Wheeler, a four-year-old warrior facing the fight of her life.  At the age of two, Charlotte was diagnosed with a large brain tumor that has been impacting her development.  Charlotte has undergone multiple surgeries, and her doctors continue to lay out a plan to stabilize her tumor. 

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There are over 120 types of brain tumors that impact over 85,000 children and adults each year.   

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JEREMIAH

Jeremiah  gained his heavenly healing after a courageous five-year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer at the age of 12.   His laughter was contagious, and his smile could light up any room. His beautiful curls were loved by everyone, always smelling just as sweet as his soul.  Jeremiah’s strength and grace through adversity taught those around him the power of resilience. He showed us how to smile through the hardest days and find joy in the simplest moments. His courage and positivity will continue to inspire everyone who knew him.

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BROOKLYN

Brooklyn was a high school senior in 2022, and battling brain cancer.    Prior to her diagnosis, Brooklyn was a runner, singer, song writer and actress who had many hopes and dreams for the future.   In an instant her life was changed with a brain tumor diagnosis.   

Our Friend Christopher was happy to help  this family by supporting medical bills, and housing during treatment.  

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Brooklyn finished her battle with cancer December 2022. Our hearts and prayers are with her entire family. 

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DOMINIQUE

Dominic Haines, a high school wrestler from Jefferson High School, was paralyzed after suffering a broken neck during the state wrestling championships in February 2025. A "freak accident" during a quarterfinal match resulted in the injury, described as a legal takedown. Haines underwent successful surgery to stabilize his spine and has been undergoing rehabilitation. As of May 2025, he has graduated from high school and continues his recovery journey

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DYLAN

Dylan Carter , a 2 year old warrior is battling Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia.  As he under goes 28 days of chemotherapy, Our Friend Christopher is happy to support Dylan and his family this 2022 holiday season during their journey with this cancer and were happy to surprise Dylan with some extra holiday gifts.   

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Dylan is doing well and handling his therapy like a true warrior. 

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BLAKE 

In 2020, Blake Bargatze was faced with an adversity no young adult needs to face, resulting in the need of an emergency double lung transplant.  Our Friend Christopher Memorial Charities launched a special volleyball tournament to raise money for his surgery and travel.  

One year later, Blake is doing great.   His courage and will to live has never ceased to amaze us.  This experience has inspired Blake to make to make it his mission to be an advocate for organ donation.   We are so proud of Blake and thankful for his successful recovery. 

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HAILEY

In 2019, Young Hailey Holder was diagnosed with with a rare  childhood cancer.  Her tenacity and strength to endure multiple surgeries and treatments  led us to support her and her family during their journey. 

As the embarked on this journey for the third time in 2024, it's became apparent that it was going to be the most costly and toughest battle yet as they  sought treatment out of state.  As Hailey finished her fight in this world, always to be remembered, mama was blessed with another angel to be delivered following Hailey's passing. 

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ELLA

Medulloblastoma is a cancerous brain tumor that starts in the back of the brain and is one of the most common brain tumors among children under the age of 16.  Our Friend Christopher is honored to support the research behind this brain tumor in honor of Ella Beresee, a young woman who bravely finished her battle with brain cancer at the young age of 16.    Our hope is to find the best approaches to diagnose, treat, and recover from Medulloblastoma and the various complications that arise from the disease and it's treatments. 

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CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF ATLANTA

Children  with pediatric cancer spend hours in hospitals and in chemotherapy rooms.  Our Friend Christopher Memorial Charity has supported the young patients at The Children's  Hospital of Atlanta and the AFLAC Cancer Center for three years in a row to help make their stay a more hopeful one. 

Some of the goodies we have provided include:  games and puzzles, overnight care packages, warm fuzzy blankets socks as well as Christmas gifts for those spending time in the hospital during the holiday.   â€‹

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College Scholarships

Improving &Inspiring the Lives of Others

ETHAN ROBINSON
2025 Scholarship Winner

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MALLORY BRIX
2025 Scholarship Winner

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ETHAN KINYUA
2025 Scholarship Winner

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JALEN GIST & ACHILLES KONE
2024 Scholarship Winner

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CARTER  CAMBLE
2024 Scholarship Winner

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CALEB JONES
2024 Scholarship Winner

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KAYDEN SUGGS
2023 Scholarship Winner

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BLAKE SEITZ 
2023 Scholarship Winner

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HARBIN TINNEY
2022 Scholarship Winner

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GUNNAR CARLBERG & JORDAN WATSON
2022 Scholarship Winner

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JOHNATHAN HAMM
2021 Scholarship Winner

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KIARA SIMPSON
2021 Scholarship Winner

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DJ CAMERON
2020 Scholarship Winner

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Research & Awareness
 

 RESEARCH

Our Friend Christopher supports the  education and science of pediatric brain tumors; specifically Glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the deadliest form of all brain tumors and has a dismal prognosis.   Unfortunately, the treatment plan has not changed or improved quality or quantity of life in the last 50 years.   Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we have helped fund some groundbreaking research contributing to the approval of the first FDA approved drug for pediatric brain cancer and the opening of the first glioblastoma genomic testing centers in the U.S.

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GENOMIC TESTING FOR GLIOBLASTOMA

Our Friend Christopher is honored to support the opening of the Glioblastoma Genomic Testing  Center.  Genomic testing is a powerful tool for analyzing the DNA of a tumor to identify genetic alterations, or mutations. This information can guide diagnosis of glioblastoma, as well as prognosis and treatment planning.   This personalized approach can lead to more effective treatment options for patients, and with fewer side effects. Genomic testing represents a promising step forward in glioblastoma therapy.

....READ MORE

 

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HEAD TO THE HILL

 Since  2022, Our Friend Christopher has partnered with The National Brain Tumor Society, doctors, scientist, patients, caregivers, and parents raising awareness and advocating  for additional funding for Brain Tumor Cancer.   Spreading awareness and educating decision makers about brain cancer is key to bringing about change in this area.    Due to this focus, Congressional funding directed toward the brain cancer community has increased from 3% to 8% of cancer funding since 2018 

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RAISING AWARENESS ON 95.5

 Any chance we have to raise awareness about Pediatric Brain Tumors or tell Christopher's story is time well spent.  We are always glad to gain the support of WSB radio to help us do just that.   Thank you to Mark Arum and the entire team at 95.5 for giving us a leg up and helping us spread the word about pediatric brain tumors and how Our Friend Christopher has made an impact on this cancer.

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OJEMBA - FOR KIDS 6 MONTHS AND OLDER

On April 23, 2024 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to tovorafenib (Ojemda) for kids aged 6 months or older who have low-grade glioma, a type of brain tumor, with changes in a gene called BRAF.

The approval applies to tumors that can’t be completely removed with surgery or have come back after surgery. To receive tovorafenib, children must also have already received one prior systemic treatment, such as chemotherapy, after surgery. READ MORE

 

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PEDIATRIC LOW GRADE GLIOMA COMBINATION THERAPY APPROVED

As a first-line treatment, children with BRAF V600E LGG will now be given the opportunity to take Tafinlar + Mekinist without having to first go through other treatments like chemotherapy and its toxic side effects.

 

The FDA’s additional approval of the treatment’s liquid version means patients as young as one year of age will also be able to take it without having to swallow a pill.

READ MORE

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MT-125 RECEIVES FDA
CLINICAL TRIAL STATUS

A potential treatment for glioblastoma crafted by scientists at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute renders the deadly brain cancer newly sensitive to both radiation and chemotherapy drugs, and blocks the cancer’s ability to invade other tissue, a new study shows.   The experimental medication, called MT-125, has received approval from the FDA to move to clinical trials as a possible first-line treatment for the most aggressive form of the brain cancer...READ MORE​

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WSB CARE-A-THON

Each year the WSB Care-a-thon raises funds to benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center of Childrens Hospital of Atlanta. The Care-a-thon funds family support services, research and the Fellowship program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center.

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 Our Friend Christopher is honored to be part of  the Care-a-thon. by manning the phones during The Christopher hours and by sharing Christopher's  story on the WSB radio station and rally support.  In 2023, the Care-a-thon raised a record breaking 1.8 million dollars. 

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Improving &Inspiring the Lives of Others

Community Involvement

NORTH GWINNETT CO OP

Our Friend Christopher is all about giving back to our community.   We love supporting the North Gwinnett Co Op with Back to School Items for Children in need.    92% of all food and school items distributed by the North Gwinnett Co Op is donated from neighbor hood donations.   

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WINKLEMAN FUNDRAISER

The Winkelman Family was the first family that Our Friend Christopher supported when we began as a campaign.   It was amazing to see the community come together to give at the North Gwinnett Softball fundraiser for this young man battling some pretty scary stuff.   

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NG HOOPS & YOUNG LIFE

Our Friend Christopher is all about giving back to our community.   We were honored to support NG Hoops and Young life, both amazing community programs that improve and inspire the lives of young adults in our community. 

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VOLLEY BALL TOURNAMENT

The annual volley ball tournament is a favorite fundraiser for our community.  100% of the funds raised go towards supporting charitable activities in the community. 

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THE LEGEND PARTY

For three years now, Still fire Brewery has been brewing up a craft beer for Christopher   "The Legend" Miles.  This has been one of the most fun and engaging Fundraisers for us and the community.   This Event draws hundreds of beer drinkers throughout our community.    

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SUWANEE MAGAZINE

Our Friend Christopher Miles was featured in Suwannee Magazine in November 2020 in

"4 Great Ways to Give Back".   Check it out !

 www.suwaneemagazine.com/tag/our-friend-christopher/.

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Our Friend Christopher
5942 Wild River View
Sugar Hill, GA. 30518
678-614-0635
ourfriendchristopher@gmail.com

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