Hello!

Just a quick hello to let you know about me.

I'm a mobile journalist working in South Florida as a general assignment reporter and photographer for a television station.

I write, shoot and report my own stuff.

To see my work, visit www.cbs4.com/mojo

jr

After spending some time with a nine year old by the name of C.J. George at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, I find myself wondering how someone so young can be so brave and positive.

At such a young age he's already a writer, a poet, and a cancer patient. C.J. has acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, a very rare and aggressive cancer that originates in the lymph nodes. C.J.'s Mom, Dawn, tells me he had severe pain in his back that wouldn’t go away.

She took C.J. in for a series of blood tests, and X-Rays, but everything was coming up negative. A scheduled MRI found tumors that had taken over his body. She says, "It had spread through his abdomen, kidneys, diaphragm area, and wrapped around his spine and pelvis". Scared and unsure about the future, they began chemotherapy. C.J. spends three days a week at therapy and the treatment will last two years.

It's not easy for this fourth grader. Mom says, "Day in and day out, constantly having procedures done and being poked and prodded and and examined". There is, however, one thing that brings happiness to this little boy and his mother.

That happiness comes from a wonderful person who gets up every morning, and puts red makeup on her nose and cheeks. Her name is Lotsy Dotsy, and she's the on-staff clown at Memorial Regional. Her job is to help kids at Joe DiMaggio'sChilren Hospital laugh, and forget about their pain, treatments and fears. Lotsy is ready to work, especially during the upcoming holidays when children are sad that they're not home.

She says, "a lot of people ask how could you work on Christmas? I say how can you not work on Christmas when you have these kids and their families. Believe it or not they make your Christmas".

There is an amazing connection between C.J. and Linda "Lotsy Dotsy" Herbert. While the camera rolled on this passionate woman, she made me really think about life and the troubles we all deal with in a day, week or year. Here is a person dedicated to making a child giggle, and it was apparent that she truly brightened up C.J.'s day. For me, it was a powerful feeling as she spoke from her heart.

Seeing her and CJ made me realize that the troubles I face, ones that can 'ruin' my day, are simply challenges that must be overcome. I see what happiness can come from putting my own issues aside and just being positive, not only for myself, but for everyone around me. Happiness is truly contagious. C.J. and his Mom are great people with a touching story.

If you would like to read more about C.J.'s journey from the diagnosis to now, just follow the link below to visit the family's blog. You can also make a donation, and receive a blue bracelet with the inscription 'Pray for C.J.' on it. Visit the George Family Blog See web exclusive video of C.J. and Lotsy Dotsy

To read the C.J.'s Blog Click Here.

Coral Springs - There were fourteen hundred applications submitted to march at an historical event; the inauguration of the forty-fourth President.  One was chosen from Florida, and it was the Marching Trojans from J.P. Terevella High School in Coral Springs.

On Tuesday, a group of students who will be in the parade practiced in class with their Director Neil Jenkins.  This is not an completely unusual thing for this band to be chosen to play in an amazing place or event.

Terevella has been invited to play in many venues and cities both here in the United States and Europe.  How about London and Rome?  
Now, the new gig.  Marching in our Nation’s Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue and for the first African-American President, Barack Obama.

I spoke with the Captain of the band, Ethan Morrison, who says he’s never seen snow.  That in itself will be an experience.

“We have long underwear”, Morrison tells me.  “We should be okay.”.

It’s going to be a long trip for the band as they make their way North to Washington, D.C.  

Source:  Google

Travel Facts: •    4 Buses (2 Drivers Per Bus) •    About 150 Band Members •    1,027 Miles •    15 Hours, 40 Minutes (Google Maps) •    Leaving January 16th •    Returning January 21st

This trip is going to cost about $150,000. 
You can help get these talented young students to Washington, D.C.

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