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Boy & Girl of the Year
Michigan Chapter's Boy & Girl of the Year
The Boy & Girl of the Year are local children battling blood cancers who serve as motivation and inspiration to Man & Woman of the Year candidates in their competition to raise funds and win the titles.
Catie Maurer
Currently in remission, Lake Orion resident Catie Maurer will celebrate six years from the end of treatment this year! April 25 marks Catie's "Last Day of Chemo" anniversary. She has fought and conquered Stage IV acute lymphocytic leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. She was very brave through all of her difficult treatment procedures.
Now 9 years old, Catie lives with her parents, Ed and Julie, her big brothers Charlie and Jacob and her dog Sparkie. She is in the 4th grade and attends Blanch Sims Elementary School. Catie is very energetic and is learning to play the piano. She also plays softball and takes part in cheerleading and gymnastics. Her parents have raised funds in the fight against blood cancers by participating in five Team In Training events for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, including four marathons and one triathlon.
Cancer has been a huge part of the Maurer's lives, as well as of the many people who know and love Catie. Their strength, courage, and endless energy have been an amazing testament to the reality of miracles! Catie is thrilled to be the 2010 Girl of the Year and help inspire our Man & Woman of the Year candidates.
Bradley Simmons
Eight-year old Bradley Simmons has battled Pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia since 2005. He was diagnosed on what would have been his first day of preschool. The treatment for this type of leukemia required 164 weeks of chemotherapy and often left Bradley tired, barely able to talk and sometimes not able to get off the couch without help. He experienced many side effects and was very scared. However, he bravely battled the disease and on March 27 the second-grader at Hedke Elementary School in Woodhaven will celebrate the second anniversary of his last chemo, which is also the wedding anniversary of his parents, Lori and Greg.
Besides going to school, Bradley also likes to color, eat pizza and play flag football and soccer. Bradley is an amazing little boy and he is an inspiration to all the people who know and love him. We are honored to have Bradley serve as the 2010 Boy of the Year and his story will surely inspire the Man & Woman of the Year candidates to raise funds that will be used to win the battle against blood cancer!
