Checkmate Cancer with Aiden Caraker

13/05/2023

A huge thank you to Elverado CUSD 196 Junior Class for donating $3,500 to Aiden and his family! They even had a Team Aiden day where they repped their shirts in support of Aiden.

Yesterday, Aiden had his first scan post-treatment. The doctor said things are looking stable for now, so they will reassess again in 3 months. An answer to prayer!

For now, Aiden is looking forward to graduation next weekend and will be gearing up for college classes in the fall semester!

14/04/2023

If you placed an order at the high school or with Patsy (or requested to pick up your shirt at those locations), your shirts have been delivered!

Thank you SO much for supporting !

More orders to be delivered this afternoon! Stay tuned for updates!

13/04/2023

Team Aiden shirts have arrived!

I will begin dropping shirts off tomorrow and into Saturday. If you ordered a shirt, you will receive an email or text message (f you provided your contact info) when it is delivered to the respective drop-off locations.

We did order a few extras, so if you missed the deadline to get your order in and would like to snag one of the extras, please shoot me a message!

05/04/2023

Here’s what Mike had to say after the FINAL day of radiation!

“Today marked the end of a small battle in a much larger war that has been waged against us by finishing his radiation treatments. Aiden Caraker has shown great strength and courage during this fight and I couldn’t be more proud and inspired as a parent of this young man. I want to personally thank our family, friends, the Elverado school district and community that have shown love and support for Aiden. Thank you all for supporting him as he continues the war.”

04/04/2023

Aiden’s last day of radiation has been completed! Ring that bell!!

24/03/2023

Please have orders to me by the end of the day today! I will be placing the shirt order tomorrow!

23/03/2023

Week FOUR of treatments wrap up tomorrow! Tomorrow is also the LAST DAY to place your order for a shirt! Details are below!
ORDER YOUR TEAM AIDEN SHIRT NOW!
This pre-order will close on Friday, March 24!
Ways to place your order:
- High school students & staff can turn in forms and payment to Mr. Evilsizer
- Intermediate or Junior High students & staff can turn in forms to Mrs. VanZandt
- Elkville/Vergennes and anyone from the general public can complete a form & drop payment off at Patsy Mitchell's salon or message us here and I am happy to pick up from other local businesses!
- Email your order form (or information to complete an order form) to [email protected] and send payment via Venmo to -VanZandt
- Mail your order form and check (details listed in the order form)
Additional donations are absolutely accepted! Please let me know if you have additional questions.

20/03/2023

You have just a few days left to get your shirt ordered!

Donations are also welcome and encouraged. All proceeds will benefit the Caraker family as they support Aiden and his fight with a rare form of brain cancer.

ORDER YOUR TEAM AIDEN SHIRT NOW!

This pre-order will close on Friday, March 24!

Ways to place your order:
- High school students & staff can turn in forms and payment to Mr. Evilsizer
- Intermediate or Junior High students & staff can turn in forms to Mrs. VanZandt
- Elkville/Vergennes and anyone from the general public can complete a form & drop payment off at Patsy Mitchell's salon or message us here and I am happy to pick up from other local businesses!
- Email your order form (or information to complete an order form) to [email protected] and send payment via Venmo to -VanZandt
- Mail your order form and check (details listed in the order form)

Additional donations are absolutely accepted! Please let me know if you have additional questions.

17/03/2023

Shout out to the coolest teacher and Chess Coach for being one of Aiden’s biggest supports during his treatment! Mr. Evilsizer gets a special award in our book!

No one fights alone!

16/03/2023

Aiden heads to STL tomorrow to wrap up Week 3 of treatment!

Treatment has gone well so far! He has had some mild sickness from the treatment as part of the expected side effects, but he has been an absolute trooper.

Let him know you are below! No one fights alone, and he needs your support now more than ever!

13/03/2023

10 DAYS LEFT!

Get your order in!

Ways to order:
1) Venmo -VanZandt and submit your form via email
2) Visit Patsy Criswell Mitchell's salon in Elkville
3) Drop off with Mr. Evilsizer or Mrs. VanZandt at Elverado CUSD 196
4) Mail it to the address below!

Additional donations are welcome and appreciated! PLEASE SHARE!

06/03/2023

Week two of treatments began today! Aiden is feeling a bit of the stress from the treatment, but he's been a trooper AND was able to come out with a W on Saturday with his Chess Team!
ORDER YOUR TEAM AIDEN SHIRT NOW!
This pre-order will close on Friday, March 24!

Ways to place your order:
- High school students & staff can turn in forms and payment to Mr. Evilsizer
- Intermediate or Junior High students & staff can turn in forms to Mrs. VanZandt
- Elkville/Vergennes and anyone from the general public can complete a form & drop payment off at Patsy Mitchell's salon or message us here and I am happy to pick up from other local businesses!
- Email your order form (or information to complete an order form) to [email protected] and send payment via Venmo to -VanZandt
- Mail your order form and check (details listed in the order form)

Additional donations are absolutely accepted! Please let me know if you have additional questions.

05/03/2023

Woohoo! Way to go, boys!

04/03/2023

Aiden is at a chess tournament in STL today! Here an update from Angel:

Checked on Aiden at the chess tournament, he is sore but he said he is 5-1 so far!!!

Go, Aiden!

02/03/2023

ORDER YOUR TEAM AIDEN SHIRT NOW!

This pre-order will close on Friday, March 24!

Ways to place your order:
- High school students & staff can turn in forms and payment to Mr. Evilsizer
- Intermediate or Junior High students & staff can turn in forms to Mrs. VanZandt
- Elkville/Vergennes and anyone from the general public can complete a form & drop payment off at Patsy Mitchell's salon or message us here and I am happy to pick up from other local businesses!
- Email your order form (or information to complete an order form) to [email protected] and send payment via Venmo to -VanZandt
- Mail your order form and check (details listed in the order form)

Additional donations are absolutely accepted! Please let me know if you have additional questions.

01/03/2023

What a wonderful, overwhelming response! THANK YOU to everyone who has reached out to Aiden, the family, and even here to bring encouragement and support.

As the family navigates what the next several weeks will look like, I am in the process of getting a tshirt fundraiser put together, collecting donations for those who would like to support, and looking into the possibility of a future fundraiser in April/May.

If you would like to donate directly, please email me at [email protected] or message this page! Again, the family absolutely appreciate each and every one of you, but we would LOVE to keep as little stress on them as possible during this time so they can better focus their energy on getting Aiden the treatment he needs.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Michelle VanZandt