Updates From Carol...

2006
Thursday March, 9
Update with new pictures!

Saturday, January 15
Shelby runs Houston Marathon..

Carol's Update on the surprise

Photos: Governor Perry Announces Chase McGowen as the Champion Across America for Texas

Tuesday, May 10
Chase presents speech at the Children's Miracle Network golf tournament in Houston
- plus family update

Tuesday, January 4
It is hard to believe that 2004 has come to an end!

Many thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating one year of new life for Chase at the 2005 Race for Chase. Pictures coming soon..

Tuesday, October 5
Chase's Surgery Update

Thursday, September 23
We had a wonderful summer

Thursday, September 23
Race For Chase, Jan 2005

Thursday, June 24
Chase is now 14 years old!

Saturday, June 12
I am so sorry it has taken so long to share this good news...

Monday, June 7
I will send an update as soon as we know what the doctors think...

Friday, June 4
FYI... Please keep Chase in your prayers...his PFTs (pulmonary function tests) are showing a problem..

Friday, May 14
Please know that this is one of the most joyous as well as one of the most difficult updates I have attempted to compose.

Friday, March 5
The McNeil High School Student Council would like to invite you to the Courtyard Concert benefiting Chase

Friday, March 5
Update from Carol

Sunday, February 22
Read Carol McGowen's amazing speech for the Cystic Fibrosis Annual Meeting in Houston on February 18.

Sunday, February 15
I RACE FOR CHASE! Aunt Kim raises $9700.00! A message from Carol

Friday, February 13
Visit from the Champion Katy Tigers, update from Carol

Friday, January 30 - Life Post Transplant, Visit from the Astro's Jeff Kent

Sunday, January 11 - Carol's update with photos of Chase, family, friends and Hillary Duff

Thursday, January 8, 2004
I RACE FOR CHASE! Please Help Chase McGowen continue his recovery from a double lung and liver transplant just days ago. Pledge $1.00 a mile (or more) to encourage his Aunt Kim to run the Houston Marathon as a fundraiser in his honor.

Monday January 5- Chase gets transplants! The operations went very well. More news as it becomes available.

December 5 - Merry Christmas!

Friday, November 21 - We have been hanging in there...

Friday, November 14 - Friends of Chase will run the Rock and Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon! Help Kristel, Lisa, Deanna, Christine, Patti, and Beth with a fundraising donation.

Friday, November 7 - There are so many wonderful things to share that I don't know where to begin. The Chase McGowen Charity Golf Tournament held at Teravista Country Club (photos) on October 24th was a HUGE success.

Friday, October, 17 - Things Have Been Quite Busy!

UPDATE! Friday Nov. 14-Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant Shannon Briggs continues with her "Lipstick for Life" fund-raiser. All profits from her Mary Kay lipstick sales will be donated to Chase McGowen's medical needs. You may place an order online at www.marykay.com/shannonbriggs

Saturday, October, 4 - Lipstick for Life Continues! Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant Shannon Briggs is announcing the continuation of her "Lipstick for Life" fund-raiser. All profits from her Mary Kay lipstick sales during October 2003 will be donated to Chase McGowen's medical needs. You may place an order online at www.marykay.com/shannon briggs

Saturday, September 27 - The Craziness Continues!

Wednesday, September 17 - Read About Carol's Adventure in the Big City!

Tuesday, September 16 - Life is not a dress rehearsal.... It never ceases to amaze me at how very much a 13 year old can teach us if we will just listen, watch, and learn. When I grow up I want to be as courageous and strong as Chase!

Friday, September 5 - "Lipstick for Life!"

Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant Shannon Briggs has launched her "Lipstick for Life" fund-raiser. All profits from her Mary Kay lipstick sales during the month of September 2003 will be donated to Chase McGowen's medical needs. You may place an order online at www.marykay.com/shannon briggs

Friday, September 5 - Life in Houston Remains a Challenge

Tuesday, August 19 - ROLLER COASTER RIDE! There have been so many things that have happened since my last update.

Tuesday, August 19 - Web Designer Receives Award from the National Transplant Assistance Fund

Friday, August 8 - Life in Houston is HOT!!!

Friday, August 1 - Fundraiser! - Announcing the Chase McGowen Charity Golf Tournament

Thursday , July 31 - We received wonderful news today that Chase has been approved....

The DeMontrond Hummer Team took Chase for the ride of his life. (Photo)

Tuesday , July 29 - The Wait Continues..things have been quite busy in Houston. Photos

Sunday, July 27 - Letter From Doctor George B. Mallory Jr.
(opens new window, jpeg)
Director, Lung Transplant Program, Texas Children's Hospital

Neighborhood Art Fair Fundraiser with Photos!

Chase's Trip to See the Houston Texans

Friday, July 25 - Web Site Announcement

Wednesday, July 16 - Liver Transplant Approval

Welcome!
Meet 14 year-old Chase McGowen, a typical teenager who digs music, pizza, teasing his sisters and cutting up with friends. One thing sets Chase apart from being your "typical" kid though. Chase has cystic fibrosis.

Life, Post Transplant: This web site helps keep friends and family apprised of Chase's condition through personal insights and updates from Chase's mother Carol. Chase spent over a year waiting for lung and liver transplants, culminating in historical surgery on January 5, 2004.

Chase's miraculous recovery has been inspiring. The McGowen family is very grateful to everyone who contributed to this miracle: the doctors, medical staff, friends, all the fund-raising contributors and volunteers, and the exciting celebrity visits. Thank you each and every one. The McGowen family asks you to remember the donor family in your prayers.

The physical and emotional toll to Chase and the family has been tremendous. The McGowen family is still dealing with the huge financial burden of the non-covered medical expenses and the day-to-day costs encountered in dealing with Chase's illness and post surgery medications. Your donations are welcome.

You can follow the dramatic story by viewing the chronological updates from Chase's mom, Carol. Links to articles and amazing family photos help tell the story.

Life Pre-Transplant: Meet 13 year-old Chase McGowen, a typical teenager who digs music, pizza, teasing his sisters and cutting up with friends. One thing sets Chase apart from being your "typical" kid though; he has cystic fibrosis.

Chase struggles daily with things we don't even think about. Things like breathing and fighting off common infections. But Chase is determined stay healthy and alert, listening for the pager that will summon him to the hospital for the transplants that will prolong his life.

Chase is currently in Houston under the care of the Children's Medical Center, scheduled for lung and liver transplants to secure his life. This web site helps keep friends and family apprised of Chase's condition through personal insights and updates from Chase's mother Carol.

We are also hoping to facilitate donations and promote fund-raising campaigns to meet the non-covered medical expenses and the day-to-day costs encountered in dealing with Chase's illness.

Chase has a growing support group of family, friends, doctors, medical professionals, sports stars and folks he's never even met. Please join us. You CAN make a difference. Your decision to donate will have a very positive impact on Chase and his family. Promoting or volunteering for fund-raising is also extremely beneficial. Telling your friends and family about this web site will spread the word about Chase and cystic fibrosis. Your prayers and meditations for this cause are very welcome.

Why Donate? Due to the extensive medical bills generated during his life, Chase will exceed his lifetime medical cap during the transplant process. It is estimated that costs for the transplant and post-surgery care will generate medical bills in excess of $800,000 over what insurance will cover. For the donation options including quick and easy-to-use links via PayPal, see the Donations page. For detailed explanations and important facts see the "FAQ" page.

Although much of the information on this web site is devoted to the trials and tribulations of dealing with cystic fibrosis, it's also about victories great and small, challenges met and overcome. Chase has shown great character, courage and determination and we are very proud of him.

If you have comments or questions please "Contact Us".

Thank You for spending time with us.
The McGowen Family

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A letter from Chase's Uncle Mike:

July 7, 2003
Dear friends,

I have something to bring to you that I ask that you prayerfully consider.
I have a nephew, Chase McGowen, who is 13 years old. He has been battling cystic fibrosis his entire life. His normal life includes multiple breathing therapy sessions per day, taking enzymes with everything he eats (to aid digestion), being attached to a nighttime feeding tube, taking multiple medications and being tethered to an oxygen generator when at "home" and using tanks of oxygen when away from home. Chase is no stranger to hospitals. He has been in and out of hospitals 2 to 3 times each year for "tune-ups" where they beef him up and maximize his breathing capabilities. Within the past year, Chase's health has deteriorated. He has been in and out of Brackenridge Hospital over 10 times for collapsed lungs. Each of these hospital stays has been critical. Chase even stopped breathing once in ICU but was resuscitated. The doctors classified Chase as having chronic lung failure and recommended that he get on a transplant list.

The decision was made to move Chase to Houston and put him on the Lung transplant list at the Children's Medical Center. Chase, his mother (Carol) and my wife (Kim) moved to Houston in mid-May and are caring for Chase and living near the Children's Medical Center. After evaluation by the transplant team, it was determined that Chase also needs a liver. Chase is currently on the Lung transplant list and is expected to be added to the Liver transplant list by the end of the week. Due to the extensive medical bills that he has generated during his life, Chase will exceed his lifetime medical cap during the transplant process. It is estimated that costs for the transplant and post-surgery care will generate medical bills in excess of $800,000 over what insurance will cover. This includes estimated postoperative rehabilitation and anti-rejection medication for five years after the surgery.

Chase's Dad is continuing to work in Austin (maintain medical insurance) and raising his two sisters. I am working and living in Georgetown and looking after our two children. We alternate visiting our wives and Chase in Houston. What can you do to help?

Please pray for Chase, his immediate and extended family and the health care professionals that are working to keep him alive.

If possible, please contribute to a Transplant or Medical Assistance Fund being set up for Chase. Details on both can be found on a web site being set up for Chase at WWW.HELPINGCHASE.COM. The best opportunity for maximizing your contribution is to donate to the Transplant Fund through your employer and apply for matching funds. Other fund-raising efforts will be posted on Chase's web site.

Regards,
Mike Zimmermann

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Web Site Design provided by Denis McGinnes. All material provided by the McGowen Family, copyright 2006 and may not be used without permission including images and the Helping Chase logo, the Chase McGowen Charity Golf Tournament, and Lipstick for Life. All referenced links, organizations and businesses retain their copyright and trademark rights.