JMU DUUUUUKES!!!!!

One of the COOLEST things this past week was a gift that Cooper got in the mail. I wrote to Mike Houston (The Coach of the JMU football team) and his staff explaining  our story and that Cooper had planned to attend a game this year to cheer on his favorite football team. However, due to the diagnosis, we would no longer be able to attend. I asked if I sent them a t-shirt, if the team would sign it for him to lift his spirits.

We can confidently say that we have never been more proud to be JMU alumni. This team is everything...from the coaching staff to the character of every player on that team. If you've been following the Dukes, there have been many things on ESPN leading up the the last 2 National Championship games that they played in talking about how special this team is on and off the field. They support each other, they're a family, and there are no "individuals" on that team, which is why they are so successful. It's one thing to be a great player on the field for your team, it is so much more to be a great player off of the field. The love and support that this team has shown our little boy has been unbelievable. They e-mail us and check in on him. They check the blog and ask for updates. This is a team that cares, and made a little boy feel so so special.

The team sent Cooper some really awesome JMU gear, but also sent him a poster that every player not only signed, but wrote special messages of encouragement to him. They also sent him a really cool video message from the whole team. Cooper thought he was famous! He said "are those the Dukes from TV, talking to me?!?!" The box we received was such a boost for his spirits. Thank you to our JMU family for taking such interest in our story and our little boy!