Gage Dole was 3 when he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in June of 2005. In February of 2007 he received a bone-marrow transplant, necessary for the treatment-related AML (secondary Leukemia) that occurred in October of 2006. His Ewings was re-diagnosed in February 2008, 2009 and 2010. Finally, tumor progression left him paralyzed from the waist down. Gage lost his brave fight against cancer on February 14, 2011 at the age of 9.

Throughout his six-year battle with cancer, Gage continued to surprise and dazzle nurses, doctors and volunteers. Up to his last day, Gage showed everyone how powerful his quick wit, old soul perspective and humor was in dealing with his pain.

Gage tapped into his natural talent for drawing during his many treatments. He became prolific, leaving his mom and dad with an amazing collection of drawings. The “Heaven Worrior” angel was drawn on a small pad from his mom’s purse while riding in the car, and has turned into the image that most represents who Gage was, and is… a warrior over pain, chemo, surgeries, radiation and dozens and dozens of scans and needle pokes.

His drawing is now represented on these Mountain Girl Silver charms and bracelets, a way to honor his life and support a charity near and dear to his heart; Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP) brings the healing power of art to children in crisis and their families with a mobile team of teaching artists working in Portland’s children’s hospitals. In 2009, CHAP worked with over 10,000 children and their families.

A portion of the proceeds from every necklace and bracelet sold will benefit CHAP and the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. www.chap.name

Government funds go to well-known cancers, so sarcoma research must rely on private funding for a cure. Since many sarcomas resist current treatments (15% of pediatric cancers are sarcomas), more effective regimens are urgently needed. The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative raises money for research grants to specifically target sarcomas. The Initiative also increases public awareness, and offers education, compassion and understanding to patients, their families, and medical professionals. See www.sarcomahelp.org for more detailed information.