One year ago, Christopher Schraufnagel was diagnosed with brain cancer. To make matters worse, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to his spinal cord. Doctors told the Schraufnagel family it was a form of brain cancer that offered the slimmest possibility for survival. Christopher was seven years old.
Doctors immediately put Christopher on an intense treatment program. The treatment for this type of tumor is 5 days a week of full brain and spinal column radiation and chemotherapy for six weeks. During chemo, he encountered many side effects. He spent a large amount time of each month in a hospital bed, lost the strength to walk, suffered hearing loss (some of it likely to be permanent), had a tracheotomy and experienced all the other typical pains of cancer treatment. Throughout all this, Christopher has been an inspiration with his amazingly selfless and optimistic views.
While Christopher continues to serve as an inspiration to everyone he meets, he dreamed to meet one of his biggest inspirations: Donald Driver. Christopher got that chance last week when his favorite Packer was in Milwaukee to speak at a Boy Scouts’ Leadership Breakfast.
The two hit it off immediately and, as you can see, there were lots of smiles. As much as Christopher thinks it was Donald doing him a favor by meeting with him, Donald made it clear that it’s people like Christopher that give him the inspiration to continue all the work he’s done off the field.
Christopher recently finished up his chemo and is waiting to find out how successful the treatments were.
"In the year of Tebow, Green Bay has its own, quieter light," writes John Halverson of the Lake Geneva Regional News. Halverson recently profiled Green Bay's all-time leading receiver Donald Driver on the value he would still bring to the Packers in 2012. Halverson writes, "There's still room for a great contributor to the community, a leader in the locker room, and an all-around class act."
Green Bay's all-time leading receiver Donald Driver was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's article highlighting the player use of iPads for game film. Packers beat writer Tyler Dunne used Driver as a perfect example. As a family man, Driver juggles his time between game preparation and family time.
"It makes it easy, it makes it easy," Driver said. "It's more convenient for me so I don't have to force a DVD in or say to my wife, 'Hey, babe, can I put a DVD in so I can watch film?' and she leaves up to the bedroom. I kind of like that intimate time with my whole family. I'm still able to sit there with my iPad."
Green Bay's all-time leading receiver Donald Driver was on hand for yet another book signing with Goodwill Industries. On Tuesday Driver signed books for hundreds of fans at a Goodwill location in Green Bay, WI. Check out some highlights of the signing in the video below!
Donald Driver, Green Bay's all-time leading receiver and author of three children's books (Most recently Quickie Goes to the Big Game) appeared at two Goodwill Stores on Tuesday to meet with fans and sign his children's books. Fox 6 Milwaukee was there to capture the story:
Donald Driver has recently released his third children's book titled Quickie Goes to the Big Game, and on Tuesday, December 6th he will be on hand to autograph it for you at two Goodwill Store and Donation Centers.
The Donald DriverCharity Softball Game sponsored by Kwik Trip returns to Time Warner Cable field in 2012. Tickets for the game are on sale now and can be purchased on the Timber Rattlers official website.
Green Bay's all-time leading receiver, Donald Driver, set yet another milestone during the Packers 35-26 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Donald went over the 10,000-yard mark for
his career and is only the second Packer to do that in his career (only behind former running back Ahman Green).
Driver had his best game of the 2011 NFL season with 4 receptions for 72 yards including a key 35-yard catch on third-and-seven. Donald and the Packers will look to stay perfect this week as they travel to Detroit to square off with the Lions on Thanksgiving day.
Congratulations on yet another career milestone, Donald!
Green Bay's all-time leading receiver Donald Driver can cross another item off of his bucket list: making the cover of Sports Illustrated. Driver and fellow receivers James Jones, Jermichael Finley, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Randall Cobb joined quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the latest cover of Sports Illustrated. The Packers who are a perfect 7-0 travel to San Diego this week to face Philip Rivers and the Chargers.
Donald talks with 620 WTMJ radio about breaking Green Bay's all-time receiving yards record, his thank you to the fans, and this week's showdown in Chicago. Check back each week as we post Donald's radio show.
To my family, the Packers organization, current and former teammates, friends and all of Packers Nation,
THANK YOU for the opportunity to play for the greatest franchise, and best fans, in all of sports. The Green Bay Packers team goals are absolutely the most important focus for all of us moving forward. With the incredible blessing of the birth of my third child (Charity) last week and becoming the All Time Packers Leading Receiver in Yardage today by surpassing Pro Football Hall of Fame’s James Lofton, I also wanted to briefly reflect for a day on the wonderful experiences that I have shared with all of you.
I still remember the Packers drafting me as the 213th overall player in the last round of the 1999 NFL Draft. The Packers had the 212th and 213th picks back to back that year, and they would not even take me 212th! I clearly did not know Wisconsin very well back then, because I got off the plane that April in just shorts and a short sleeve shirt – and yes, I froze!
Thankfully, I have learned a lot since then about a number of topics:
1) How to be a loving father and husband
2) To appreciate every single day what it is like to play for a Packers organization that is committed to excellence
3) That Packers fans will always support you, no matter how cold it gets!
4) That on field accomplishments matter, but that charity and giving back to the community is the most important accomplishment of all
5) That I will never be done learning, interacting and enjoying the special relationship with Packers staff, teammates, fans and community supporters throughout the world
In closing, I want to encourage all of you to hug your loved ones this week and please continue to support the Packers and your community! THANK YOU!
Donald Driver, Green Bay's all-time leading receiver, set yet another milestone in the Packers 42-34 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Driver tied Packers legend James Lofton record for total receiving yards with 9,656 after a 9-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers in the 4th quarter. Donald will look to break the record as the Packers travel to Carolina in week 2 to play the Panthers.
As if that wasn't enough, Donald caught another milestone on Thursday night recording his 700th reception in the NFL.
Congratulations on your remarkable achievement Donald!
Super Bowl Champion Donald Driver and the Green Bay Packers met with President Obama at the White House today to celebrate their Super Bowl XLV victory. President Obama, a notable Chicago Bears fan, was presented with a share of the publicly-owned team and a personalized Green Bay Packer jersey. Donald and teammate James Jones found time to pose for a picture with the Commander-in-Chief.
Donald was featured as the main topic of conversation in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's 2011 NFL Preview of the Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver corps.
The one who took advantage of the extra long off-season from the lockout to relax, heal and rehabilitate.
And the one who now expects to resume his starting role with the Green Bay Packers as soon as the labor situation is settled.
He knows that last notion might come with some questions - and doubts - which he is grateful he hasn't had to address for the last five months.
"The lockout gave me the opportunity to heal and not try to rush back to prove to people or prove to the media I'm not done yet," Driver said. "If I didn't show up for OTAs, and I'm hurt and everything, people would say I may be winding down.
"It always seems like every year I've got to go in and I've got to prove myself. At this point, I am the starter and no one can take that from me."
Driver is 36 years old with 12 years of experience. The challenge is no longer as a seventh-round draft pick making it against all odds. It will be about proving that he has fully recovered from the quadriceps injury that resurfaced before the Super Bowl as well as the high ankle sprain and knee injury he suffered during the game. It will also be to continue as a productive member of Green Bay's talent-rich offense.
Donald dropped in to make a visit to a local school as a reward for winning the Goodwill Industries Pack'er Up Donation Challenge. Schools throughout the state of Wisconsin competed to collect the most items for Goodwill and Washington Elementary in Whitewater, WI came out on top by donating 79,336 items, more than 17,000 ahead of second-place Evergreen Elementary School in Waterford.
Along with visiting the school, Driver donated 12 autographed copes of his children's book, "Quickie Makes the Team" for the school library. He also donated a signed Packer helmet for the school trophy case.
The 4th Annual Donald Driver Offense vs. Defense Game was another big hit. The Defense edged the Offense for it's first victory in 3 years in front of the games' first sellout crowd in game history. Bryan Bulaga took home the Home Run Derby title in 2011, upsetting 2-time defending champion Matt Flynn. Game proceeds benefited the Donald Driver Foundation. For media on the game please follow the links below:
Donald is raffling off the chance to win a roster spot in his annual Offense vs. Defense Softball Game! Follow the link to get your tickets, which are $2 each.
Grand Prize:
Winner and a guest will receive two (2) tickets to the Annual Donald Driver Celebrity Softball Game, presented by Kwik Trip, at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, WI, June 5, 2011 (game time 1:00 PM)
Winner will receive a playing spot in the Annual Donald Driver Celebrity Softball Game, presented by Kwik Trip, while guest attends as base coach
Winner will receive a maximum of $1,000 towards airfare (if needed, if used)
Winner and a guest will enjoy two (2) nights hotel accommodations for Saturday, June 4, 2011 and Sunday, June 5, 2011
Winner and a guest will receive car service to/from the softball game
Winner and a guest will receive two (2) VIP passes to the Hospitality area at the softball game
Winner and a guest will receive a Pre-Game meet and greet with Donald Driver
Winner will receive an autographed softball from Donald Driver
Winner will be awarded a cash prize in the amount of $635.25 to mitigate the Winner's tax liability that results from winning the raffle. This prize is withheld and paid, on behalf of the Winner, directly to the IRS ($525.00) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ($110.25)
