Dallas Family's Cancer Battle Raises Funds For Care-A-Thon

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — For almost 18 years, WSB has aired an annual broadcast known as Care-a-Thon, which shares inspiring stories about children’s battles with cancer. During this broadcast, listeners are encouraged to donate to provide further aid to cancer patients.

Because of this broadcast and the numerous donations provided by charitable individuals, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta can research and provide world-class care to children battling cancer and other blood disorders.

Recently, GreyStone Meter Apparatus Technician II Scott Buchanan, from Dallas, Ga., had the opportunity to share his daughter Emrie’s story with WSB and show how Care-a-Thon has positively affected their family.

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It was during the holidays that curly-haired, two-year-old Emrie had what doctors initially believed was an eye infection. Upon further investigation, a biopsy confirmed that the swelling around Emrie’s eyes was actually a side effect of acute myeloid leukemia, also known as AML.

When Emrie began to lose her hair due to chemo, her mom, Jamie, carefully snipped off her curls. Scott then used his own clippers to shave the rest. “I was holding her as I shaved the last part, and when I was done, Emrie reached up to feel her head,” Scott says. “I thought surely that she was going to cry, but she just reached over and touched my head and said, ‘Just like daddy,’” he added.

Today, Emrie is healthy and happy and busy playing with her brothers and sisters and even got her curls back!

Upon sharing his daughter’s story, WSB quickly made Emrie a representative for Care-a-Thon, encouraging readers to contribute to their cause. From donating to volunteering, there are limitless ways for readers to contribute!

On behalf of Children’s Heathclare, Aflac will be sending out a mail piece in September featuring Emrie’s story in an effort to raise money for the children’s hospital. The Buchanan family also is one of the two that have been asked to represent Aflac nationally in New York on Sept. 9-11. Emrie will ring the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange on Sept. 10 to kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

If you are interested in making contributions, visit choa.org/wsb. Once there, you will be given the option to donate or volunteer. Your contribution will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and aid children like Emrie with their battle against cancer.

Photos of Scott Buchanan, wife Jamie, and daughter Emrie, courtesy GreyStone Power