In a time when so many of our bass fishing brothers have fallen over the past year, it pleasures me to no end to share some good news about a friend of mine, Dan Heath. who for the past 10 months has been fighting a nasty battle with terminal cancer. For those who don’t know Dan, he’s the owner of 49er Propane in the foothills here in Northern California. He has been a great asset to the team of Nutcases that help me put on the C.O.ProTeen tournament every year. His monetary donations have been a big part in what helps us each year to continue to bring forward this event. He’s been there working our kitchen the past 5-7 years of which he has also been crowned our King of Chili cooking.  He’s got two fine young sons who have participated in the event, as well as the three of them hang around Russo’s with me until that last piece of garbage is picked up, trashed and we head off to unload and store the things we bring for the event. This man has the biggest heart and I am so humbled to call him my friend.

Amazingly, somehow, Dan showed up at this year’s event back in July. It was scary folks, Dan did not look well at all, yet he was in good spirits and and just said, “I had to make just one more Pro-Teen with the boys Cooch. It’s not good, but I made it and this is the most important thing to me right now.”  I was overwhelmed with a number of cluttered emotions, none of which I had felt since I sat with my mom during here last few days before cancer took her. During the awards, I had to take a moment and recognize Dan to the crowd of angler’s and parents, in the end asking them all to keep him in their prayers.

Just today, I get this note via e-mail.

Hi Cooch, this is Dan Heath, Brian and Jon’s dad. I’ve wanted to write you for some time to thank you for all of the kind words you said about me at the “Pro Teen” tourney.

I especially felt “special” when you asked everyone to pray for me…

Well, you won’t believe what’s happened.

My wife and I went to Alaska as my last hoo-rah because I was told it was stage four cancer and to basically make my peace because it would kill me. (Lot’s of captain jobs in Alaska by the way…Jon wants to do it to help pay his way through college, wants to go to a bass fishing college too) Any ways, The last two days on that cruise something changed in me. I was able to walk without help or my wheel chair?

Then the following Tuesday I had some ct scan’s done and my tumors were gone? The Dr was as surprised as us and she said sarcoma’s come back a lot so she didn’t want to say it was 100% gone, she said she was 90 – 99% sure, as “they” just don’t see anything!

Wa hoo— the chemo really sucked. Even if It’s just gone until I test again in 2 months, I firmly believe that some sort of miracle happened, and I’m not one to talk about my faith much openly.

I feel myself getting stronger and I’m already making plans for 2 crock pots full of chili next year.  Thanks again Cooch,  Dan

Wow huh? I thank each of you who touched Dan’s heart that day, it made a huge difference in his life. The Lord works in mysterious ways, we hear this so often.  When it occurs in our lives, it only strengthens my faith and my willingness to share that faith with others! We each have the option, to believe as we chose. I know which option I chose, Thank You Lord for your hand of greatness in touching Dan’s life.
This is such great news, I’m so happy for you and your family Dan!!!!!!!! The C.O. Chili King is coming back.