Carter was a Kindergarten
student at Providence Christian Academy
when he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a childhood bone cancer.
Throughout the next 20 months, Carter endured pain, radiation, shots, hospital
stays, blood, platelets, more pain, physical therapy, fevers, nausea and
vomiting, a leg amputation, and of course chemo, chemo, chemo. After
having started his 2nd grade year, on September 12, 2004, he lost his battle
with cancer.
You could say that Carter Martin seized the day. He faced cancer with determination and a smile---not once did he ever complain. Carter loved God, Georgia Tech, Providence Christian Academy, his dog Comet, and his family & friends tremendously. He was loved by all who knew him, and even those who didn’t. He galvanized his little friends, and adults were
drawn to his spirit.
Carter excelled in art, sports and especially academics. His intelligence was equaled by his enthusiasm for life. He thrived on competition, and won (almost) every fight. When this young warrior met his match in cancer, he even indulged his competitor with the coins from his own piggy bank -- he told his mom to "give them to the AFLAC Cancer Center to help find a cure."
Carter's family, Scott, Leigh Ann and Candler (current PCA 11th grader), set up a fund at the AFLAC Cancer Center to raise money for
Carter's dream to come true - the Carter Samuel Martin Innovative Therapy Research Endowment.
Providence has come alongside this family to do all we can to
fight childhood cancer. The Carter Martin Classic takes place at PCA and has become a community-wide effort. Over
$600,000 has been raised in the first four CMC and
a chair has been funded to Carter’s beloved doctor, Howard Katzenstein
M.D. at Aflac Cancer Center as direct result of Carter.
Providence is playing a vital role in pediatric cancer research through the Carter Martin Classic. Providence has three other students who are, or have been, patients of the Aflac Cancer Center.
Funds raised from the Carter Martin Classic benefit the Carter Samuel Martin Innovative Therapy Research Endowment. This fund provides critical resources that
enable the Aflac Cancer Center to conduct clinical trials and experimental therapies for pediatric cancer. The clinical trials conducted in the Aflac Cancer Center, with our support, benefit all children throughout the country who have cancer since the Aflac Cancer Center is a leader among the Children's Oncology Group.
For more information visit www.cartermartinclassic.org