In April 2005, Sean Brame fell and sprained his ankle at soccer practice. In the days following his injury, Sean began to display symptoms that his pediatrician thought to be the common flu. That night Sean’s condition rapidly deteriorated and his mother rushed him to the nearest hospital. Once they arrived, the staff at the hospital worked diligently to figure out what was wrong, and called local specialist for input. Sean’s body was quickly shutting down and he was airlifted to a children’s hospital for immediate medical treatment.

The doctors found that Sean had developed a severe bacterial infection that caused his major organs to fail and septic shock began to cut off the circulation to his limbs. As a result, Sean had both legs amputated below the knee, his right hand amputated at the wrist, and most of his fingers taken from his left hand.

Sean continues to make progress every day. He has learned to walk and run using his new prosthetic legs. A sixth grade student at Crossroads Middle School in Lewisberry, PA, Sean is currently involved with the local football, soccer, and swim teams. As a water boy for the high school football team, Sean has proved to be an inspiration for the squad and following each win he runs up and down the 100-yard football field on his prosthetic legs.

“Sean’s motto is, ‘Never say you can’t, because differently you can,’” said his mother, Carol Brame. Always with a smile on his face, Sean tells her, “Mom, I was supposed to die! Each day to me is a gift.”

In June 2000, Nick Bowen was rushed to Glens Falls Hospital and miraculously survived a sudden brain hemorrhage. Nick was 11-years-old at the time, and was diagnosed with rare inoperable brain tumors. Since being diagnosed, Nick has received treatment locally at the Glens Falls Hospital and the Albany Medical Center, and also at Boston Children’s Hospital. In addition to staying at the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Capital Region near Albany, NY, the Sykes-Bowen family also stayed at the Boston Ronald McDonald House when Nick had his two neurosurgeries at Boston Children’s Hospital. Nick participates in the annual Radiothon fundraiser and has volunteered for Albany Ronald McDonald House. He is currently undergoing his third chemotherapy protocol and has received chemotherapy treatments for his tumors over the past several years.

Despite the medical challenges Nick has faced over the past seven years, he continues to strive for excellence. He remained on high honor roll throughout high school, graduated with honors, and received an academic excellence scholarship to Adirondack Community College. Now 18-years-old, Nick was recently accepted into Radiology School.

“Nick is a role model, our hero, and an avid sports fan,” said his mother, Carol Sykes-Bowen. “He teaches us to live each day by faith and to enjoy life to its fullest.”

In November 2006, Ryan Nelson was sick with cold-like symptoms when his doctors discovered a mass in his kidneys. After further testing, Ryan was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Since being diagnosed, 9-year-old Ryan has been home schooled, given his intense treatment schedule. Ryan has been receiving chemotherapy since November, in order to break down the mass in his kidneys and get his cancer into remission.

“Ryan wants to get better so that he is able to play with his friends and go back to school,” said his mother, Celina Nelson. “Given the circumstances, he is really handling everything with a very positive attitude.”

Ryan is currently receiving treatment at Medical City Dallas Hospital in Dallas, Texas and he is thrilled to have the chance to participate in the Shoot for Hope program in San Antonio. Ryan is a huge sports fan and especially loves the NBA. Said Celina, “Ryan has never flown in an airplane before, so he is very excited to fly to an NBA game.”

In June of 2006, sixteen year-old Abel Cruz fell unconscious while on vacation in Puebla, Mexico. The doctors discovered internal hemorrhaging and gave him only 42 hours to live. After being unconscious for 3-4 days, the doctors finally diagnosed him with Leukemia and started chemotherapy. For the time being he is receiving treatment in Corpus Christi, TX, and is continuing his schooling at the Ronald McDonald House. The athletic young man doesn't know what it means to quit, and loves to play basketball and soccer with his friends in hometown of Reynosa, Mexico. His sister, who is a match for a potential bone marrow transplant in the future, testified to his fighting spirit. “Abel is very strong and I can see his will to live. He’s the one that suffers and I know he has his ups and downs, but he’s very special to us and I love him."

“My mom is my hero,” said Sarah Figueroa, 28, Andy’s older sister. “She quit her job so she could be close to Andy every day.” Sarah and her two other siblings, Javier, 24, and Oscar, 17, made frequent visits to Andy’s bedside, bringing him books and games.

Andy, now attending Rio Mesa High School is nearly in complete remission. Said Sarah, “Andy is the bravest little kid I ever met in my entire life.”

“Quhan is a strong kid,” said his mother. “He understands that he is sick and will be losing his leg, but he still continues to shine.”

“Guy has a tremendous heart and is always thinking of others,” said his mother. “Guy would never wish for a different life, instead he understands the cards he has been dealt and is up for the challenge.”The Rupes are the 10th family to benefit from Shoot For Hope.

Andy Noland (15, Beaumont, TX) -- Due to Spina Bifada, Andy is unable to walk and is in a wheelchair, but he doesn't let that stop him. Andy is currently a freshman in high school, where he is the varsity football team trainer. The Noland family was affected by Hurricane Rita and have recently traveled back home to Beaumont after staying at the Ronald McDonald House for three weeks. Andy loves basketball and his favorite player is Kobe Bryant.

Cody Miller (14, Port Neches, TX) – Cody was diagnosed with a type of Muscular Dystrophy known as Intermediate Spinal Muscular Atrophy or SMA Type 2 at the age of three. Due to the disease, Cody is in a wheelchair but he doesn't look at himself as disabled. Cody is a high school freshman who enjoys meteorology. Currently the family is staying in Dallas but is originally from Port Neches, where 75 percent of their business and home were damaged by Hurricane Rita. Cody is also an NBA fan and his favorite player is Kobe Bryant.

Leslie Brown and family first stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston when her son, Sean Mack, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia after visiting the emergency room for a high fever. Fortunately, Sean's brother Steven was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant. Steven was extremely eager and excited about helping his brother, proclaiming, "I'm the man," on the day of his surgery. Although Steven was able to help, he always wished it was him who was sick and not his brother.

The bone marrow was a perfect match, but Sean relapsed a year later in November 2004, and is currently undergoing treatments for a second time at the same Ronald McDonald House. He received his second bone marrow transplant from his older sister Shatisha.

When Sean was told of his relapse he told his mother he didn't want to go through treatment again, and was ready to give up. His mother insisted that he fight because it wasn't his time yet. "The relapse was very hard on both twin boys," said Leslie, "but whenever they are together Sean feeds off of Steven's energy and continues to battle his illness."

Today, Sean is still undergoing treatment, but he is full of life and enjoys every minute he spends with Steven. The brothers, who are inseparable, turned 15 on June 18, the same day Sean was released from the hospital.

Today David is eleven years old and has beaten the odds of his 1 in 5 chance of survival. Although David is unable to participate in team sports and other physical activities he has become an avid drawer.

"David has a spirit about him," said Debbie Nikander. "He is very kind and always wanting to help someone."

Today John is eighteen years old and attending San Juan College majoring in music. John is a musician and plays the saxophone and is a member of the school Jazz band.

Today, Adela is thirteen years old and looks forward to returning to school once her treatment is complete. Adela enjoys riding her bike and is eagerly anticipating the day she can return to her dance team. Adela's parents understand the strength of their daughter. "Adela is strong, she beat leukemia the first time, and she'll do it again. She's a fighter," said Janie Alvarado.

John Doak and family, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City when their daughter, Kasey Grace Doak, was diagnosed with tricuspid atresia with hypoplastic right ventrical. The condition caused her heart to work on only three chambers as opposed to the usual four. For the first three years of her life, Kasey underwent three open heart surgeries, and an innovative surgery called the Fon-Tan procedure that eventually saved her life.

Today, Kasey is eight years old and playing basketball for Cedar Ridge elementary where she is currently one of the highest scorers for her team.

"This trip is a gift from Eva," said Kelly Garza.