A Tip of the Cap to a Commendable Kid

To the Editor:

I want to commend 12-year-old Chelsea Karpowicz on her amazing display of compassion and awareness for the world — and at such an early age as well (“A Crowning Achievement,” The Face of Philanthropy, August 26).

I am a 27-year old woman in the prime of her life. I don’t have cancer, but I feel as though I do. My 36-year old fiance had a massive seizure in March 1999 and was diagnosed with a malignant anaplastic oligodendroglioma brain tumor and given less than one year to live.

After several consultations with doctors, we found the perfect one. He was able to successfully remove the tumor (which was a little larger than a tennis ball imbedded in the center of his brain). My fiance has had a miraculous recovery and is currently undergoing a protocol of chemotherapy and radiation to possibly prolong his life.

Fortunately, he is a little more self-assured in his appearance and says he doesn’t mind losing his hair. But one thing I have witnessed, much like Chelsea did, is the many children and adults undergoing chemotherapy who are not handling these changes in their appearance (and the effect it has on their mental and emotional state). These people need inspiration and motivation to go on and get through all the pain and suffering and misfortune that they are going through.

That inspiration is hard to come by, but comes in many different forms. One of those forms is the work of Chelsea. The simple gesture and gift of a hat is more than words could say. It’s a great sign on her part of reaching out to others, of understanding, and caring.

Hats off to Chelsea. I hope she keeps up the good work for many years and knows that she is making a big difference in people’s lives — and in their fight for life in spite of cancer.

Nancy Sanseverino
Fort Worth