Charlie is a 40 year old Red Lored Amazon parrot that belongs to our client, Rachel Hunter. Obviously, Charlie is a beloved companion. Charlie is also a cancer survivor.

In early 2004 Charlie was diagnosed with cloacal adenocarcinoma; a malignancy of the very latter part of his intestinal tract. Charlie had presented for several bouts of blood in his droppings. An endoscopic exam of Charlie's cloaca (the very latter part of the birds intestinal and urinary tract combined) revealed a suspicious mass and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a malignancy. Surgery was performed to resect the mass but the pathologist could not confirm clean margins. As a result, Charlie and Rachel were referred down to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Steve Hernandez-Divers, a leader in the field of endoscopic radiosurgery, re-evaluated Charlie and used a radiosurgery unit to ablate (destroy via high frequency radio waves) any remaining, suspicious- looking, cancer tissue.

On subsequent endoscopic rechecks, Charlie remained cancer free. At this time Charlie is nearly five years out as a cancer survivor; a real mile stone. This year in honor of this achievement, Rachel purchased a luminary at the annual Elizabeth River Relay for Life held at Portsmouth City Park . What a wonderful way to honor an animal cancer survivor and true friend. Hats off to both Charlie and Rachel!