Last week, the Healthcare Administration Student Organization (HASO) coordinated a birthday card drive for a young Davison man suffering from cystic fibrosis. Chad Everett, who celebrated his 21st birthday last Wednesday, has been battling the disease for much of his life. Despite a negative prognosis earlier this year, Chad was determined to reach this milestone birthday. To help him celebrate, his mother requested that people send him birthday cards. HASO President, Denise Martin, read Chad’s story in this article on the CBS Detroit Web site and decided to take action. She knew she could pull together HASO members and others to help make Chad’s birthday special. “This is an opportunity for the members of HASO and the students and faculty of University of Michigan-Flint to help a special young man understand that his life has mattered and that he is important.  We also hope that these cards will be a comfort to his family in the future,” said Martin.

On Wednesday evening, Martin, Tiara Ridgway, and Kiley O’Connor delivered 57 cards to the Everett’s home. “It was the perfect opportunity to get involved in the community and do something simple, that could have a huge impact. I look forward to doing similar projects in the future,” said Ridgway.