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For most parents, the first day of kinder garden is a memorable one for both child and adult. For parents, Robert and DianeCooper they knew this would be a big day, Brandon was going to kinder garden! After the registration process, Diane had

decided to take Brandon to the Doctor for a check up. He hadnt been feeling well, was tired all the time and seemed tohave a series of bruises that wouldnt disappear. After running a series of tests, a very sharp Doctordid some blood workand then sent Brandon to the St. Jude Affiliate Hematology Clinic in Chattanooga, Tennessee for further testing. This wasfollowed by a bone marrow test which diagnosed Brandons condition as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (which is a canceof the infection fighting white blood cells called Lymphocytes, which are produced in the bone marrow). If not treated, icauses death from anemia, infection or bleeding. The Cooper family was told to go home and pack their clothes, as theywould begin the treatment for Brandon immediately. This began the long and painful three years of treatment at St. Judeshospital.

As is often the case, the treatment for such diseases can be more painful than the illness and this was no exception. Thechemotherapy that was used on Brandon caused him to lose his hair twice, caused on going nausea and severe aching in

the joints. Sometimes his legs would hurt so badly, that he couldnt walk. Instead he would crawl to get around.

When you meet Brandon Cooper, you are immediately struck by what a southern gentleman this 14 year old has grown into.Mature beyond his years, he has a keen sense of humor, is a dedicated and committed hunter and understands far morethan a 14 year old boy should. During one of his semi-annual checkups at St. Judes, one of the social workers hadmentioned Hunt of A Lifetime. Brandons ears immediately perked up and when asked if this was something that he wouldbe interested in, his reply was an immediate yes!

Hunt of a Lifetime is an organization dedicated to providing sick children with the opportunity to hunt. Various partners andcorporate sponsors are involved and donate generously to the kids identified in this program. In October, 2007 Hunting FoTomorrow had circulated a request for three donated hunts in Alberta. Several outfitters immediately responded and offered

to donate trips. A few weeks later, we received another call advising that Hunt of a Lifetime was still looking for a whitetaideer hunt for the 14 year old boy with leukemia. I advised Herb Schmidt, the Alberta HOAL Ambassador that I would calhim back in a few moments. My husband, Rene and I discussed this and agreed that we would donate the hunt. Weadvised Herb, who then gave us the contact information for the young hunter. On Monday morning, I placed the call toRobert Cooper from Bridgeport, Alabama advising that we would like to offer Brandon a six day whitetail deer hunt inAlberta. I outlined the dates available and what the hunt included. I asked Mr. Cooper a few questions about Brandonshealth condition and he indicated that the cancer was in remission and that he was fine to travel, as long as he had hismedication with him. We spoke for a few more minutes and then Mr. Cooper said, Mam, Im going to need to call you backas I cant find any words to say right now. He later told us that he had a lump in his throat so big, he couldnt swallow. Hehung up the phone and told Brandon, Youre going to Alberta to hunt for a big whitetail! Brandon was ecstatic to say theleast.

BrandonsStory

Box 505, Sangudo, Alberta

Canada T0E 2A0

Phone: (780) 785-3404

Fax: (780) 785-2099

e-mail: r.semple@hotmail.com

www.south awoutfitters.com

RReennee && KKeellll SSeemm llee

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Plans were rapidly made to organize for the trip, including immediately applying for passports for Brandon and his Dad. A.300 WSM rile had been sent to Brandon for his hunt, so he needed to spend time sighting in and becoming familiar with hisnew firearm. A couple days before heading to Alberta, Brandon was practicing his shooting skills and shot his first whitetaidoe with his new rifle.

November 18th finally arrived and the Cooper father and son team headed for Alberta. The majority of their travels over thepast several years had been related to Brandons illness, so this trip was like nothing they had experienced before!

Brandons illness and getting him well, had consumed a lot of their lives. Financial burdens were huge, with medicaexpenses nearing $5,000.00 per month, it didnt leave much for any luxuries.

After they arrived and were introduced to everyone and settled in, they were standing upstairs looking out the windowTheir expectation was something rough and rustic. Brandon looked up at his Dad and said, Papa said I was going to livelike a king for a week Papa was right!

I was intrigued by both Brandon and his Dad. On the third day of the hunt, I asked if I could write an article about themThey were happy to do the interview. We sat down and talked for hours. As Brandon told his story about being sick, histreatment and the struggles that he went through, Robert added the adult interpretation of what the family had dealt withSeveral times during the interview I got up for Kleenex to dry our tears, finally after the third time, I said, Ill just bring the

box for us all!

Brandon starting hunting at 5 years old and shot his first squirrel with a BB gun and then ate it! Many times he sat on hisDads knee while hunting and when he was sick he often needed help to hold the gun. For Brandon, hunting wassomething that he just liked to do. Sitting out in the woods, trying to find one and just thankful to be able to get a chanceto do that. He remembered being stuck inside, in a hospital without the strength to even walk and as a result, never tookany of those hunting days for granted.

When I asked Brandon what he thought of his parents he said, Im just lucky God gave me good parents that didnt leaveme when I got sick. It was difficult for me to swallow the lump in my throat and I said, Brandon, no one could ever leaveyou. Robert spoke up and said, This world can be a wonderful place, but it can also be very cruel. When we were at St

Judes we saw many children without parents or other family members to support them. Many times, I had Brandon on oneknee and another child on my other knee. When Brandon asked why their family wasnt there with them I had no answerHow can you possibly answer that question to a 5 year old?

Brandons hunt started on Monday morning. By 5:30 a.m., both Brandon and Robert were geared up and ready to go! Afterfinishing their breakfast and packing their lunches and thermos of hot chocolate they were set for the day. Our Guide RayKnudson was placing them in one of our premier spots, where we had been seeing a lot of deer movement with some goodbuck sign. They would spend the day, sitting in a heated ground blind watching and waiting for that one opportunity. Eachday, they passed on several shooter bucks, but Robert wanted Brandon to be selective and wait for a big one. Their firssighting of a cow moose was a shocker to both of them. They couldnt believe how big and black she was! For bothBrandon and Robert, their attitudes didnt change one bit during the week. Day after day, they sat in the blinds from sun

rise to sun set. On day 5, they spotted a good deer in the bush, about 60 yards from the blind. He was a heavy 4 x 4 buckwith long and heavy tines. After several minutes, it was clear that the buck wasnt going to come out from his camouflagedcover and so Robert told Brandon to take the shot. He didnt have a lot of target to shoot at, but he aimed for the shoulderand squeezed the trigger. The buck bounded offit was a clean miss. That night Brandons was a bit disappointed, but hisoverall attitude didnt change at all. We played Whitetail-monopoly and he proceeded to take everyones money and win thegame!

The next morning was the last day of the hunt. We had already told Robert, that if he and Brandon wanted to stay anotherfew days, they were welcome to do so. Robert said they would think about it and see what happened that day. About 1:30that afternoon, another buck showed himself. He was looking face on at the blind. Robert caught the movement andimmediately woke Brandon up (who had been having a nap after exhausting himself taking all our money the night before).

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He quickly said, Theres a buck Brandon,shoot him. At first, Brandon couldnt find the deer in the crosshairs, but finallywith Dads help was able to spot the deer. He carefully aimed and fired his shot. The deer ran dropped in its tracksBrandon had shot his first Alberta Whitetail deer! While not a monster, it was a mature 4 year old deer Brandon wasvery happy to say the least!

One of our long time friends and clients, Jim Bailey from South Carolina had brought me some gifts, the package included avariety of items with bubble bath, lotion and a pair of camouflage socks. As I was modeling my new socks (and the rest omy haul!), Robert commented these gifts were designed to tell me that I needed a bath and that I had ugly feet! We al

laughed and I shared the story about always stealing my nephews socks when they stayed with us. Their socks fit meperfectly (O.k., were only 8 years old!). On the last evening of the hunt, Brandon came up to me and said, Here Kellythese are for you. And he gave me his best pair of wool socks. It is hard to describe how touched I was by the gesture.

The night before Robert and Brandon left, Rene and I discussed it and decided that we would like to invite the Coopers backas our guests, in 2008. We figured wed be able to get someone to donate air miles for the flights, we would donate thehunts and even the guides had offered to chip in.

Driving to the airport the next morning, Rene asked, Would you like to come back?

Yes, Robert replied. I just need to figure out how to get another job, so I can save up enough to come back.

Rene quietly said, I believe that is all taken care of. Just mark your calendars for the week of November24th to 29th, 2008

Robert mumbled something about airfares and Rene said, I believe that is all taken care of as well.

Not another word was said for several moments. The only sound was a grown man shedding tears of appreciation, joyexcitement and respect. Brandons eyes were huge and tear filled as well.

A few moments later, while a Christmas carol played on the radio, Rene said, Christmas isnt far away.

Robert quietly said, Christmas has already come.

Our 2007 season was another year that will not be forgotten. A young boy with the heart of a hero, a father who would doanything for his son, great friends who return year after year to enjoy the fellowship of the hunt and the opportunity to givesomething back. Once again, we all experienced a Hunt of a Lifetime.

Our special thanks to: Robert, Diane and Brandon Cooper, Hunt of A Lifetime, Ray Knudson, Barry Voltner, Mark CooperSteve Bobryk, Jim Bailey and John Pelton who all contributed to making this a wonderful experience.

December, 200