- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,153
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
While stopped for the Wrightsville Beach leg of the 650FLY’s tour up the east coast, Capt. Rusty and the 650 had a surprise and very special guest this weekend. Some of you newer members might not know why this is so special for several of us. Here is the background:
Back in 2011, one of our members, Robin Byers (rabyers1), received news that no parent ever expects yet dreads. His 3 year old son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with Leukemia. We learned about it in sort of a “good-bye” post where Robin explained his anticipated absence from the forum as the Byers family sought treatment for Ben. Thanks to great care received at Duke Children’s Hospital, Ben was in remission in a very short period of time, but was facing a lengthly course of chemotherapy. Our friends at Sea Ray who keep up with CSR were aware of Ben’s situation. The end of his hospital stay roughly coincided with Sea Ray's scheduled Yacht Expo, so Benjamin and the Byers family were invited to attend and to enjoy the new yachts and to ride on and drive as many as they cared to. It was a great weekend for all of us involved. Here are some photos of the weekend at Sykes Creek in 2011:
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...Special-Company-and-a-Very-Special-Little-Boy
Now, at 4 years after his diagnosis, Benjamin is a healthy happy completely normal kid enjoying life as big brother to little brother Brody and (new) little sister, Sloan. The Byers family, Benjamin, Brody, Sloan, (Dad) Robin and (mom) Kim stopped by to see Rusty in Wrightsville Beach this weekend:
Ben is the one Rusty is holding down with his left hand-
And, here is the crew helping Rusty plot the course for tomorrow's run:
Here is a link to a website posted by the Byers for Ben:
https://allaboutbenjaminb.shutterfly.com/
and here is a link to a site featuring Ben as a poster boy for Duke children’s Hospital……be sure to click on the video near the bottom:
http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=248263
Please take a minute to look at both. They will not only bring a tear to your eye, but you will also gain an appreciation for the nightmare fighting a disease like A.L.L can be for those around t he child. YOu will also gain an appreciation for the quality of company who built your boat as well as the character of the employees who have been involved in the Benjamin Byers story. Thanks to Kim and Robin for letting us tag along, through thick and thin, and watch your kids grow up.
Back in 2011, one of our members, Robin Byers (rabyers1), received news that no parent ever expects yet dreads. His 3 year old son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with Leukemia. We learned about it in sort of a “good-bye” post where Robin explained his anticipated absence from the forum as the Byers family sought treatment for Ben. Thanks to great care received at Duke Children’s Hospital, Ben was in remission in a very short period of time, but was facing a lengthly course of chemotherapy. Our friends at Sea Ray who keep up with CSR were aware of Ben’s situation. The end of his hospital stay roughly coincided with Sea Ray's scheduled Yacht Expo, so Benjamin and the Byers family were invited to attend and to enjoy the new yachts and to ride on and drive as many as they cared to. It was a great weekend for all of us involved. Here are some photos of the weekend at Sykes Creek in 2011:
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...Special-Company-and-a-Very-Special-Little-Boy
Now, at 4 years after his diagnosis, Benjamin is a healthy happy completely normal kid enjoying life as big brother to little brother Brody and (new) little sister, Sloan. The Byers family, Benjamin, Brody, Sloan, (Dad) Robin and (mom) Kim stopped by to see Rusty in Wrightsville Beach this weekend:
Ben is the one Rusty is holding down with his left hand-
And, here is the crew helping Rusty plot the course for tomorrow's run:
Here is a link to a website posted by the Byers for Ben:
https://allaboutbenjaminb.shutterfly.com/
and here is a link to a site featuring Ben as a poster boy for Duke children’s Hospital……be sure to click on the video near the bottom:
http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=248263
Please take a minute to look at both. They will not only bring a tear to your eye, but you will also gain an appreciation for the nightmare fighting a disease like A.L.L can be for those around t he child. YOu will also gain an appreciation for the quality of company who built your boat as well as the character of the employees who have been involved in the Benjamin Byers story. Thanks to Kim and Robin for letting us tag along, through thick and thin, and watch your kids grow up.
