United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. (USSA)

United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. (USSA) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit national wish granting charity that specializes in sending critically ill and disabled youth and disabled veterans on the outdoor adventure of their dreams! USSA adventures give our youth and veterans something to look forward to, and help sustain them in their time of need! Families are whisked away from the mundane, man-made world of hospitals, and high medical bills by giving them a place of peace to focus on the quality of life, family ties, and the wonders of our natural world! USSA is composed of a 100% volunteer staff from all walks of life, bonded together by a common love for our fellow mankind and a deep respect and appreciation of our world's natural resources. By working cooperatively with caring "Adventure" donors as well as generous individual and corporate sponsors, USSA has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children, disabled veterans and their families. The public's image of all sportsmen is enhanced, through this valuable community service and new lifelong friendships are made! To learn more about USSA read on.

Shaina Reed - USSA Youth Outdoor Leaders

Hey,

My name is Shaina Reed. I am 16 years old. I'm a freshman at Cherokee High School in Rogersville, Tn. I live on a farm in Whitesburg, Tn. I have a cow and a calf. I want to learn how to ride a horse and wish to own one someday. I enjoy reading adventure books and going for walks. I am also a cancer survivor.

When I was 9 years old, I was playing basketball and cheerleading. At the time, I was experiencing leg pain on and off. My parents thought I pulled a muscle. They treated me with heat and ice and it seemed to help, but the pain would always come back.

Then one Saturday, I had a game and cheerleading afterwards. They decided to take me to the E.R. to get checked as a precaution. The doctors took X-rays and found a mass in the left femur. In December of 1999, I went to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis and was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. I was able to come home after 9 days at the hospital and my chemotherapy treatments started the day after Christmas.

In one year during treatments, I was hospitalized 20 times, had 30 blood and platelet transfusions, and had major surgery on my leg. The doctors removed about 75% of the bone in my leg and replaced it with prosthesis. I went from 77 pounds down to 55 pounds and lost all my hair. I thought losing my hair would bother me but it didn't. I didn't like wigs and sometimes wore hats. I thought no hair was cool.

Every time I grew, the doctors could lengthen the prosthesis without surgery. I had this done but had complications every time. I was the third person to receive this type of prosthesis in the country, and it was not approved through the FDA at the time. It was made in Paris.

Because no one had this before, the doctors did not know what to do for me. They ended up doing surgery and putting another one in since I was almost done growing. That was April of 2005. I had been in physical therapy for over five years. Every time I made progress and it was time to lengthen my prosthesis, I would be back in a wheelchair or on crutches.

I will go to camp Horizon this summer. It will be my sixth year attending. I can do almost anything I want to, and what I can't do, I enjoy watching. At camp, I make friends every year and remain in touch with some. Some day I would like to be a counselor at camp.

Since I've been sick, I've gotten involved in several activities and organizations. Although I cannot ride a bike, I still participate each year in the St. Jude bike-a-thon by riding a go-cart, dune buggy, or 4-wheeler. Each year, I am interviewed on the air of our local radio station WRGS for the St. Jude radio.

In the 5th grade, I did my science fair project on my cancer and won grand prize. Since then, I have used it to educate people at Relay for Life meetings and my physical therapist.

I am on the Relay for Life planning committee as Jr Co-chair for the second year. I also participate every year and I'm on the team of our local newspaper-Rogersville Review. I was interviewed by St. Jude and parts of my interview were selected to be used on the Country Cares CD that went out to 200 radio stations across the country to kick off the radiothons in 2005.

I also got over 50 people to sign up and donate blood at a safety meeting sponsored by Home Depot by sharing my story at a booth at the entrance at the store.

I have practically a normal life after cancer. I still don't have full use of my leg, but I don't let it stop me from doing things.

Montana Hunting Trip / A note from Caleb's mother following the trip.

"Caleb just got back from his once in a lifetime hunting trip in Montana. Of course, he loved every minute! I got to go with him and I had a great time too. It was exhilarating being there when Caleb shot his first buck and elk! He got both within three day and then topped it off by catching his first northern pike. How lucky is that?

A couple weeks ago I got a call asking if Caleb would like to go on a guided hunting trip. Would he ever! With the help of United Special Sportsman Alliance and Montana Taxidermists Association, it did not take long to have the trip set up. The trip itself was generously provided by the best guides ever at Rocky Point Outfitters in Thompson Falls, Montana. Before we knew it we were on our way. We stayed at a beautiful lodge and got up early every day to go hunting. The scenery there is incredible. He shot his buck on the first day! He did a great job sneaking up on it.

The second day we drove around looking for elk. Caleb was looking at the back of his eyelids a lot (lol). On the third morning he shot a cow elk with a single, perfect shot. It was impressive. It was so exciting, for Caleb and everyone who came to celebrate with us! He got to drive into town to show off his elk and then he rested up for fishing. It wasn't long before he nailed his first Pike. Wow, what a day!

We would like to thank the great folks there at Thompson Falls who made us feel welcome and treated us like family, especially the Haun Family. Caleb couldn't have had a better guide. Thanks Jon! To Craig and the Funky Fish, thanks for being there, celebrating with us, and making it even more special. Wahoooooo!!!"

Tim attended his dream hunt at J & R Outfitters in Indiantown, Florida with wife Lynsey and daughter Cheyenne. Tim's hunt was a GREAT success harvesting a red stag and axis. Tim has been battling a life threatening illness but none of that could impede is spirit on a great hunting trip.

Safari Club International Foundation

Since 2000, SCI Foundation (SCIF) has provided $47 million to conservation, wildlife education, and humanitarian programs around the world. Growth of SCIF has continued to gain momentum through charitable donations from SCI members and direct grants from local chapters and the SCI organization. A recent effort that just completed its fund-raising drive is the Hunter Legacy Fund which is a dedicated funding source for wildlife conservation . This endowment was created by one hundred individuals and corporations, dedicating a pledge of $100,000 to create a $10 million endowment to ensure conservation programs of SCIF will continue long into the future. A similar effort kicked off in 2008 to create an endowment for conservation education.

With recent expenditures exceeding $5 million annually, SCI Foundation has continued to promote science-based conservation through wildlife research, capacity building in governments, youth and teacher education, and humanitarian programs which show the importance of the hunting community in society. A project nearing completion, called the "White Book", will showcase nearly 150 conservation projects where SCIF has made major contributions to the world of wildlife management.

Visit: www.safariclubfoundation.org

USSA Donors are the "field generals" of our charity. These are the people and operations that are on the front lines, donating hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and water sports adventures to our nations less fortunate sportsmen and women. Our donors are a diverse group. They are our country's land owner's outfitters, preserve owners, fishing lodge owners, boat owners and campground owners to name a few examples. Without their generosity and compassion, USSA would be just another charity. If you have any "outdoor type" service you would like to offer please let us know. If you have any unique outdoor experience you would like to offer, please let us know, and we will post your special opportunity under one of our homepage adventure buttons called "Other Activities". We will then help coordinate the wish for you and your recipient.

Our USSA Partners are organizations and operations that share a common cause and philosophy about human dignity, conservation, and outdoor sports. Partners can contribute valuable services, like media and communications or intangibles like providing a united solid front on key conservation, education and sportsmanship issues. If you would like to become a partner and be listed on our web site, please contact us at: "Contact USSA"

Partner, Donor, Sponsor and Member support is essential to promoting a new era of outdoor sports for the 21st century. A united voice with ALL concerned operations and organizations is crucial to see the mission to a successful end.

If you would like to mail your donation download the Donor Form