Chad (a.k.a., The Magical Chadakazam) is a two time cancer survivor and brain bleed survivor. At the age of three (1991) he was diagnosed with leukemia. At the age of seven (1995) he relapsed. He needed a bone marrow transplant but there wasn't a match. Instead, Chad and I lived as inpatients at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for 17 months straight. There my husband would teach Chad magic as a way of diverting his pain and sadness of being sick.
Chad's magic became so well known that he started performing for that hospital and others, including the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society, nursing homes, etc. After 17 months of comas, cardiac arrests, breathing machines, morphine pumps, feeding tubes and having to learn to walk and talk again due to the devastating effects of the chemo, Chad was released from the hospital.
Our ordeal, however, was not over. Shortly after Chad left the hospital, his father collapsed and was diagnosed with brain cancer. Chad’s father died 15 months later, at age 41.
Chad continues to spread his magic across the country as a way of keeping his father's legacy alive. He donates thousands of hours to all kinds of cancer foundations to help make people smile. Alexandra Scott of Alex's Lemonade Stand requested Chad to perform for her at her home.
Last May, 2003, Chad started bleeding from the brain as a result of the years of chemo and radiation. He underwent emergency brain surgery. The doctors said he would either be paralyzed or have a stroke. He awoke perfect and immediately continued to apply his magic touch around the country. He performed in Las Vegas for Richard Petty of the Nascar world at his Victory Junction Camp (for children with life threatening diseases). Then the National Childhood Cancer Foundation heard Chad's story and asked him to perform on Capitol Hill. It was there that our first lady, Mrs. Bush, heard about Chad and invited him to appear on the White House lawn for the Easter Egg Roll.
Chad was invited back to Congress and has continued to spread his magic touch. He's now 16 and adds the “abracadabra” to the life of everyone he meets.
Today Chad is considered cured from his cancer. After 13 long horrible years he is finally healthy – and has always been happy. He has a magnetic, magical, amazing personality and warmth. Kids of all ages love him. He's been asked to appear on nationwide talk shows. The cancer societies have dubbed him the "Miracle of Magic" and request his appearance at different fundraising events.
You can learn more about Chad and his inspirational, magical life at www.magicalchad.com.
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