the reason why I chose this weeks avatar theme

I figured maybe you girls might want to know WHY I would pick something so... not normal...

here's why:
MAN STEALS GAMING SYSTEMS FROM CHILDREN WITH CANCER
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – When we hear about the worst in society, sometimes in brings out the best in a community. That is certainly the case this week at Levine Children’s Hospital.

Last Saturday, a thief was caught on camera breaking into the Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Center at Levine Children’s Hospital. According to hospital officials, that thief stole 10 video gaming systems – including 4 PlayStations, 1 Xbox, 1 Game Cube, 2 Game Boys and 2 Nintendo DS systems.

“The people who steal stuff do not think about the people they steal from,” said hospital spokesperson Kevin McCarthy. “That is certainly the case here.”

When news broke of the theft, the community response was almost instantaneous. In just hours, the community rallied with enough new video gaming systems to replace all that were stolen.

Those video games are a constant source of entertainment for the children who go to the clinic for chemotherapy and blood work. In some cases, those children are confined to a hospital chair for up to 8 hours at a time, and the video game is the best diversion to make that time pass quickly.

While new video gaming systems will arrive soon, police still have not caught the thief. They do have surveillance video tracking the man from the building’s entrance, to the elevator, and ultimately into the Oncology Center. One screen shot provides a good look at his face. Another shows the man wearing a backpack. Police believe he used that bag to sneak the video consoles out of the building.

“It’s bad enough to steal from children. It’s even worse to steal from children who are sick and going through cancer treatments,” said Sgt. Rich Stahnke of CMPD’s Providence Division.

To see the surveillance video, click on the video above. If you recognize the man, call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

While the Oncology Center has received all the donations it needs, hospital officials point out there are other wings of the children’s hospital that could use donations. If you’re looking for ways to donate, you can contact the Levine Marketing Department at 704-335-3141.
-------


Two of my friends did the most selfless thing I've ever heard of.
Matt and Anthony are the owners of Shocal Repairs
once seeing the news they immediately said 'what can we do?'
so they set up a donations page on their site, and donated their own personal systems (and if you knew them, you'd know... they spend DAYS on these things at a time). they can be seen here on the local news down there.

I am so proud to be able to call them friends.

Re: the reason why I chose this weeks avatar theme

Oh my gosh - what a sad story...with a happy and uplifting twist! Great friends you have!

I volunteer at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the pediatric day hospital and I know first hand how much these kids appreciate being able to get lost in video games.....I almost cried reading that article...

Re: the reason why I chose this weeks avatar theme

there's more
Posted: 1:45 pm EST December 13, 2010Updated: 2:02 pm EST December 13, 2010
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A local business donated several video game systems to Carolinas Medical Center after someone stole the ones that the hospital provided for young cancer patients.

The owners of ShoCal Repairs in Indian Trail dropped off two Xboxes, a PlayStation 2 and video games at the Levine Children's Hospital on Monday.

The donation will help replace the five systems that were stolen from an office on CMC’s campus on Dec. 4. Surveillance cameras captured footage of a man taking the systems, which are used by young patients undergoing cancer treatment. The thief still has not been found.

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO: Man Steals Game Systems Used By Cancer Patients

SLIDESHOW: Surveillance Photos In Game Systems Theft

“We just thought, ‘How can somebody stoop that low to take something from kids who need something like that so much?’' donor Anthony Calandra said. “It broke our hearts into a million pieces and we didn't hesitate to think, ‘What do we have, what do we own that we can give the kids and help them get through their day and make their Christmas better?’”

The hospital said it has received more than a dozen other game systems and controllers from people who heard about the theft.

“We have been so touched and honored that people in the community have been so philanthropic and so generous and giving. Not just that it's Christmas time, but because they knew this affected children that were actively having treatment,” said Lisa Alexander with the Levine Children's Hospital.

The donated systems will be dispersed throughout the children’s hospital so more patients can use them, the hospital said.

Previous Stories:

* December 10, 2010: Police: Man Stole Game Systems Used By Young Cancer Patients