Rally for Charothy: Single Mom's Fight to Beat Cancer

Help Charothy Hendrick Win Her Battle Against Cancer: A Single Mom's Fight for Life and Her Son

Dear Pickleball Family/Community and Friends,

Imagine facing the unimaginable every single day: battling stage 4 head and neck cancer for two grueling years, all while being the sole parent to an energetic 6-year-old boy who depends on you for everything. That's the reality for our dear friend Charothy Hendrick—a woman whose unbreakable spirit and constant smile have inspired us all on the pickleball courts. But now, she's at the final stretch of this exhausting fight, and she needs our help to cross the finish line.

Charothy's journey began with a botched treatment plan that turned her world upside down. For the past two years, she's been her own fierce advocate, meticulously managing her health day in and day out. Her perseverance paid off—after seven months of weekly infusions, we've seen a breakthrough: the cancer is finally regressing. This is the moment we've all been praying for, the last leg of her battle. But to finish it for good, she needs access to a targeted treatment that insurance won't cover. The cost? $50,000. Without it, this progress could slip away, and that's something none of us can bear to see.

What makes Charothy's story even more heart-wrenching is how she's done it all as a single mom, shouldering 100% of the parenting responsibilities for her active little boy. Picture the stress—the endless doctor visits, the fatigue from treatments, the worry about tomorrow—all while keeping a roof over their heads, meals on the table, and love in their home. Yet, through it all, Charothy is *always* smiling. That radiant grin on the pickleball court? It's not just for show; it's her way of fighting back, of refusing to let cancer steal her joy or her time with her son.

And speaking of pickleball—oh, how this sport has been her lifeline! The physical activity has helped slow the cancer's growth, while the social connections have chased away the dark clouds of depression that come with chronic illness. Our community gatherings, the laughter during games, the high-fives after a great rally—these moments have given her strength when she needed it most. Charothy isn't just a fellow player; she's the heart of our pickleball family, always encouraging others even on her toughest days.

Now, it's our turn to rally for her. As a community, we've shared so many victories on the court—let's come together off the court to give Charothy the win she deserves. Whether you're a pickleball enthusiast who's shared a game with her, a parent who understands the weight of raising a child alone, or simply a compassionate human who believes in second chances, your support can make all the difference. Every donation brings her closer to that life-saving treatment, to more days watching her son play, to more smiles on the court with us.

Please, donate today. Share this on your social media, in our group chats, and post those QR codes far and wide. Let's show Charothy she's not alone—we're in this fight with her. Together, we can help her beat this once and for all.

With gratitude and hope,

Pickles Paul Smith

Pickleball Coach YMCA Arl

(On behalf of Charothy Hendrick and our entire pickleball community)