Good Charlotte,Good Deed

My son was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago and had been in remission ever since. The family bought tickets to take him to see the GC show in Boca Raton Florida. He is a drummer and during difficult times for him, playing to GC kept him strong and his mind clear. Unfortunately weeks before the show (which was to be his first concert), we received bad news from a PET scan that left him and our family devestated. Everything around us began to collapse and we all became depressed and constantly frightened waiting on more test results. We thought we would have to miss the concert due to treatment, but found out the treatment would not start until days after. I really wanted to give my son something to lift his spirits and take his mind off of the negative. That's when I posted the original message "my son" on this site. I also began searching for other ways to contact the band to see if anyone could help me set up a meeting with the artists. Many GC fans sent in helpful advice. After many phone calls we finally found someone who passed on my message to the right person. Literally at the 11th hour we were told we could have 15 minutes before the show with a group of contest winners to take pix and get autographs. We were thrilled. My son was so nervous at the meet and greet he was shaking. When Joel Madden walked up and shook his hand, I told him Matt's story. He was so cool about it. Benji was next to him and he leaned in closer to hear the situation as well. They both spent time telling him that he had to be positive and gave him such encouragement. Billy Martin came next and told him that his wife showed him our post on their web site and he helped make this happen. When it came time to take a picture with him they called him over by name and put their arms around him. Afterwards everyone was asked to leave and I noticed Joel talking to his manager before he went back in. The manager took us aside as the contest winners left and told our family that Good Charlotte would like Matt and his whole family to watch the concert from stage. We could not believe their generosity. They ushered us back stage and gave us our backstage passes. During the concert Billy Martin came up to my son and asked him if he was enjoying himself, gave him a big smile, and shk his hand. That was a very cool moment for him. This kind of access was not expected and so over the top. When they finished,Dean Butterworth got down from his drums, walked over to my son and handed him his drum sticks. Matt was so stunned he couldn't even take them right away. He looked at me and said "Mom, this is the best day of my life". It only takes one person doing one little thing to alter someone's life. My son's life was made important by a group effort made by Good Charlotte and he will never forget it. Afterwards in the car ride home he told me he knew that nothing bad was going to happen to him due to his illness. Even if he's wrong, he believes that now. What more could I ask for? I thought you might want to hear about some very good people doing something really exceptional for a 14 year old boy.