It isn't often that I write about something other than sports in my blog. I am today. I want to introduce you to a 7 year old Valley girl named Mae Watson. I met this incredible person at a charitable event recently. She touched my heart and the upwards of 300 people who attended the event. Her calling card is a "THUMBS UP". Mae has trouble seeing and walking. Those disabilities however didn't stop her from walking through AuntChilada's Restaurant to meet and greet everyone.

I didn't realize how special this frail 7 year old was until the buzz started about an hour into the event. People all around me whispered, Mae's here, Mae's here. The word spread though the crowd like a wild fire. As Mae enjoyed the festivities, much of it in the arms of her father Brett, people continued to spend large amounts of money on silent auction items initially and then they participated in a live auction. Here's as close to talking about sports in this blog as I'll go. Many of the items up for bid were sports related, including a Matt Leinart autographed Cardinals helmet, an autographed Steve Nash jersey along with the 2001 world series game winning hit picture of Luis Gonzalez, which also featured his signature, just to name a few. Resorts donated get away weekends, beautiful jewelry was also given to this charitable event along with toys, an 8 week old puppy and hundreds of wonderful items. Sue Ciccolini and Angie Taylor, along with so many volunteers, made this event happen.

Let me back track a bit. The reason Mae has trouble seeing and walking is because of cancer. This innocent little girl was healthy and happy until her world was stunned with the news last January. She has an inoperable brain tumor that has ravaged her tiny body. Her humble parents needed help because insurance won't cover her next round of treatment. The tumor on her brain has quit growing. Funds for additional treatment grew on this special night. The goal was to raise 30,000 dollars. They reached it and then some.

Mae's battle is at a critical stage and with the help of so many wonderful people on a beautiful night in Phoenix, she has the tools or in this case the money, to continue her courageous battle.
After I finished the live auction, Mae's father Brett, gave me a hug. It was one of the greatest hugs this macho sportscaster has ever received.

Mae can still use some financial help. I urge you to go to www.acteva.com/go/maeday for a donation.

Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor
gcruz@kpho.com

A disturbing story has continued to unfold for Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid and his family. The veteran coach has had the ultimate distraction over the last several months. Under his nose and in his home, Reid's sons Garrett, 24 and Britt, 22 possessed and used large amounts of illegal drugs, including heroin. Both had been busted for drugs earlier this year and Reid took a 5 week leave of absence to try and make sense of his kids downward spiral and hopefully correct the problems. I'm wondering, like many of you, what did he do to improve this situation from becoming the disaster that it has today. Based on more incidents, Andy Reid failed worse than any football loss he coached. Authorities searched the Reid home recently and found among other things, painkiller prescriptions in both of his son's names, 2 syringes and 8 needles, ammunition and weapons. The big question, how could Reid and his wife Tammy have no knowledge of what their children brought into their home? They didn't have a clue.
Garrett, who had done some time in jail earlier this year, was charged with 5 additional drug counts related to 89 pills he brought into the lockup, concealed where the sun doesn't shine. His cell mate told police he watched the 24 year old remove the pills and offered him some.
Both young men are headed back to the slammer, Garrett for 2 to 23 months and Britt faces 8 to 23 months. Their lives are a complete mess. A judge described the parents home as as quote "drug emporium".
There's a huge lesson to be learned here. I don't care how uncomfortable it is when you confront your kids if you suspect something isn't right, do it! Do it early and often.
An NFL coach spends between 80 and 100 hours a week preparing his team for the next week's game. Throw in training camp, mini camp and the draft and there isn't much time for family. Many jobs have similar demands and it is incumbent on men and women who decide to have family's to become parents first and foremost. Andy Reid isn't the first nor will he be the last father to face the horrors of drug abuse by his children. If it takes a high profiled tragedy to wake up the public, this is it.
Hug your kids tonight, tell them you love them and don't stick your head in the sand. Your son or daughters life depends on it. gcruz@kpho.com

Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor and a father