July, 2012
October, 2011
“Today I received a package through the mail, I opened it and began to cry …. “ Thank you to everyone who has donated to The LiveLovely Foundation. 3 year old Ethan had a mass the size of a man’s fist on his kidney. Between blood test, bone marrow tests, and surgery to remove the mass, the medical bills continue to pile up. This is typical for thousands of families all over the world, and in Ethan’s case he was lucky, the mass turned out to be benign. However, Ethan and his family will be affected by this for many years to come. If you would like to donate to Ethan’s family, or simply help our cause please visit www.livelovely.org and click donate.
August, 2011
Allison Farris commencement speech, Walker High School Class of 2011
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Allison Farris, vice-president of the Walker High School Class of 2011. On behalf of this year’s Senior Class, it is my distinct privilege to welcome you to tonight’s commencement ceremony celebrating the one hundred and first graduating class of Walker High School.
At this time, I have the honor of welcoming and introducing Dr. Robert Sparkman, Superintendent of the Jasper City Schools, Mr. Jeremy Crigger, Principle of Walker High School, our distinguished Board Members of the Jasper City school system, various administrators, faculty and staff at Walker High School, special guests, and an especially warm welcome to the parents and family members of tonight’s graduating class.
Many of you may be wondering why there is an open seat in row nine, seat number eight, directly behind me in tonight’s graduating class. Two and a half years ago our class experienced a harsh, life-changing experience. This open seat is reserved for the memory of a basketball star, a class president, a scholar, a diplomat, and a best friend. This seat is reserved for the memory of our classmate Charlie McKinley Lovely who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on the day after he celebrated his 16th birthday. Tragically, Charlie lost his battle with cancer sixty-two days later.
Charlie’s motto in life was the verse in Philippians “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me,” where the Apostle Paul is encouraging the believers to have faith and confidence. Charlie epitomized this attitude by having an open heart and open mind towards everyone, by putting others before himself, by having a cheerful demeanor, and always beaming with a broad smile.
I believe that these are qualities that Charlie would like for us all to keep and nourish as we go forward in life.
With his loss, our class has come to realize the fact that everyday is not guaranteed, and that life must be lived to the fullest.
Edward Gibbon once said, “Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second, more personal and important, from himself.” However, I disagree with Mr. Gibbon. I believe there are not only two, but three levels of education, the other being from our families who have taught us the fundamentals and have given us a firm foundation, and because of this you have motivated and encouraged us to be the best we can be.
Tonight as we are closing this chapter in our lives, and are pursuing our futures, we have prepared ourselves to the best of our abilities, without fear or trepidation, to achieve our goals and to remember the phrase, carpe diem, seize the day. And for this we thank each and every one of you parents, faculty, and fellow classmates. Good luck class of 2011 and always remember to LIVELOVELY each and every day!
July 29, 2011
Charlie’s Sister on “Health Matters” with Edie Hand. In this episode of “Health Matters” Edie sits down with Charlie’s sister Laken at the Relay for Life in Jasper, AL. and discusses The LiveLovely Foundation and Charlie’s book, THROUGH CHARLIE’S EYES. Also, make sure to check out “Health Matters” at healthmattersalabama.com and on Facebook
June 24, 2011
THANK YOU!! The Relay for Life on June 24th in Jasper, Alabama was a huge success! Everyone came out to support The LiveLovely Foundation attempt to break a world record for the longest consecutive basketball pass! Over 300 people were involved to help us Break Cancer, and we sincerely thank you for all of the support. The Relay For Life is an excellent event and will raise money for The American Cancer Society. The LiveLovely Foundation had a booth at the event, so thank you for coming out to say hi! Below are a few pictures from the event!
May 18, 2011
The LiveLovely Foundation has awarded $25,000 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN for a research project focused on improving care for adolescents and young adults. For more information check out our LiveLovely Grant Announcement Release!
January 5, 2010
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is offering a webcast for young adult cancer survivors (ages 18-39) titled, Living Life, Managing Cancer. This live webcast on January 5th 2011 from 8:30p-10:00p (ET) is for young adults facing all cancer diagnoses. Participants will be able to ask questions of the healthcare professionals (including Michael Mauro, MD, Kate Breltenbach, BA, RN and Lauren Kirby, MSW, LCSW) and AYA Cancer survivor, as well as chat with each other online. YA’s can register at www.LLS.org/yaconnect
December 6, 2010
The second annual Charlie Lovely Classic was held in Tuscaloosa, AL in the ACA High School on December, 6th. Both Dora and ACA basketball teams competed, and they successfully raised over $1,600. The LiveLovely Foundation will rant this money to The Jimmy V Foundation in honor of our founder Charlie Lovely’s deep admiration for Jimmy V and what his organization has been able to accomplish. The money raised durng the classic will benefit the Jimy V Foundation every year with the intent of helping valuable research initiatives through an alliance built with a great organization.
November 22, 2010
LiveLovely has been chosen to receive 20 LIVESTRONG guidebooks for our involvement in the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance. Guidebooks contain journal space and valuable information for adolescents and young adults with cancer in any stage of treatment. These guidebooks are beneficial for any AYA’s out there in the fight! Tell us if there is anyone you know who could benefit, and we’ll send a guidebook and LiveLovely package.
November 22, 2010
Want to help us break cancer? Check this out BreakCancer.com Any ideas for records that LiveLovely could set…or break?
October 1, 2010
Thanks to your votes, LiveLovely has rolled over for voting in the Pepsi Refresh Contest for the month of October! We are extra determined to make top 10 this month for this month is our founder Charlie Lovely’s birthday month. Last year we were able to celebrate with the release of Charlie’s book Through Charlie’s Eyes. This year we would love to celebrate with a grant! Please continue to vote everyday this month and help us reach the top 10 and and win $25,000 for research for the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survival Gap (AYA)
October 1, 2010
We are excited to update you on Milagritos’ progress and let our supporters know that today she is currently cancer free!! Please continue to play for Milagritos – that she stays cancer free and is able to live a normal teenage life.
August 1, 2010
Thanks to your votes, LiveLovely has rolled over for voting in the Pepsi Refresh Contest for the month of August! Please continue voting everyday this month and help us reach the top 10 and win $25,000 for research for the AYA Survival Gap!
August 1, 2010
In Honor of our founder, Charlie Lovely, Urgent Care Northwest in Jasper, AL, where Charlie was diagnosed, is providing free pre season physicals for high school athletes. Urgent Care NW has already provided close to 400 free physicals this year for students at schools in Walker County and the surrounding areas.
August 1, 2010
LiveLovely Board members Dr. Tim Lovely, and Dr. Perry Lovely, met Milagritos, a 14 year old girl with ovarian cancer, on a mission trip in Peru. Your donations have helped provide Milagritos with $1,000 to help her family cover the expenses of treatment, as well as a care package including a spanish bible, and a journal.
July 17-18, 2010
LiveLovely is proud to announce our partnership with Playing By Air, an innovative show that fuses music, circus, and theatre together to raise awareness of all forms of cancer. Their next shows are Saturday, July 17th from 7-8p and Sunday July 18th from 2-3p at The Nashville’s Children’s Theatre. LiveLovely and other participating organizations will be available before and after the show to discus their particular focuses on beating cancer, and what you can do to help us all make a difference. Check out Playing By Air at playingbyaircares.com
July 16, 2010
Charlie’s sister filmed a short commercial about LiveLovely and Through Charlie’s Eyes for Mutual of Omaha’s Aha Moment Tour. Our story was one of three featured stories filmed in the Lexington, KY area in the Aha Moment Tour Blog.
July 2, 2010
LiveLovely is so proud to announce their membership into the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance, a branch of The Lance Armstrong Foundation! Click Here for more information on the alliance and stay tuned to learn more about exciting new information and updates from the alliance
July 1, 2010
LiveLovely made it in the top 100 in the month of June for the Pepsi Refresh Everything Contest! This means that The LiveLovely Foundation’s idea for a $25,000 grant for research for AYA specific clinical trials rolls over into the month of July. So please go vote for us today and EVERYDAY in the month of July. The top 10 ideas for $25,000 receive funding.
June 24, 2010
A group of Charlie’s friends headed up by LiveLovely’s Junior Board member Julianna Hallman, were on Rick & Bubba on Thursday June 24th promoting LiveLovely and our cause! We are so proud of them for helping us get the word out! Pictured Below: Some of Charlie’s friends at Rick & Bubba’s Studio. This Photo was also Rick & Bubba’s photo of the day!
June 18, 2010
The LiveLovely Foundation participated in the Relay For Life in Nashville, TN. at LP Field on Friday, June 18th from 6:00pm-6:00am. This years relay has been able to raise $70,000 for The American Cancer Society
June 1, 2010
We are officially in the running for a grant from Pepsi in their Refresh Everything online contest! We need your help to win a $25,000 grant from Pepsi, which would allow The LiveLovely Foundation to give the Charlie Lovely Research Grant, which will go towards new clinical trials for AYA’s and could significantly reduce AYA cancer related deaths. Vote now and everyday at refresheverything.com/ayasurvivalgap
April 22, 2010
Charlie’s sister has submitted her Mutual of Omaha’s “AHA Moment” and it has been accepted! Help us raise awareness for The LiveLovely Foundation by clicking here to post your comment and read all about Laken’s AHA Moment.
April 17, 2010
Through Charlie’s Eyes was a part of The Southern Woman’s Festival on Saturday April 17th. The festival was held at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers on Summit Blvd in Birmingham Alabama.
March 29, 2010
Thanks to everyone at Daytime Alabama!
February 27, 2010
Books-A-Million in the Bel Air Mall in Mobile, AL hosted a signing for Through Charlie’s Eyes on Saturday February 27th. Thanks to everyone who came out! you made this book signing event a success!
February 21, 2010
Charlie’s sister spoke at First United Methodist Church of Hueytown on Sunday, February 21st. Thank you to everyone at the church for being so gracious, and welcoming of the message of The LiveLovely Foundation! Lost and found was the musical focus of the evening, and blessed our message with beautiful music.
February 12, 2010
Joseph Beth in Lexington, Kentucky hosted a book signing for Through Charlie’s Eyes on Friday February 12th at 7:00pm. Everything went great! If you didn’t have the chance to come out, here on some pictures from the event.
January 27, 2010
Charlie’s sister Laken spoke at the career fair in Jasper, Alabama on Wednesday, January 27th. The career fair was attended by the fifth and eighth grade students in the area. Laken spoke to them about the positive message of faith and resilience that Charlie hoped to encourage through his story and through The LiveLovely Foundation.
