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The weekend of December 8-9 was a very special time for 17-year-old David Franklin of Poplar Bluff, Mo. From the time he was diagnosed with terminal leukemia, a cancer that affects white blood cells, Franklin thought his dream of harvesting his first deer buck was lost forever. However, thanks to donations of time and money from Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) and the members of SCI's Central Missouri Chapter, Franklin was granted a Safari Wish that made his dream a reality.
"I've enjoyed hunting since my youth," states Central Missouri Chapter President Drake Dawson. "And we're sweating the details ... to make the entire weekend as enjoyable as it can be for (Franklin)..."
The Safari Wish hunt took place at Whitetail Dreams wild game ranch near Fulton, Mo. With Franklin's well-being paramount, no expense was spared with his safety. Precautions included constant supervision by Dr. William Cravens of Fulton and a helicopter standing by to take Franklin to the nearest hospital. Yet everything went well, and Franklin harvested a 13-point buck on the evening of the first day. Most of the harvested meat he donated to another SCIF program, Sportsmen Against Hunger, to feed the needy.
After the hunt, Franklin and his parents, Alex and Tina Dugas, also of Poplar Bluff, attended the Central Missouri Chapter's annual Awards Reception and Dinner, where Franklin was given a plaque for a job well done.
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David Franklin, a 17-year-old boy diagnosed with terminal leukemia, sights in his rifle at the Whitetail Dreams wild game ranch near Fulton, Mo. Sighting in the rifle prior to the hunt helped ensure efficient harvesting of the 13-point buck that Franklin took on Saturday, December 9. Franklin is the recipient of a Safari Wish, a program founded by Safari Club International Foundation that assists terminally ill children in making their dreams of hunting come true.
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During the Safari Club International Central Missouri Chapter annual Awards Reception and Dinner, Safari Wish Coordinator Martin Wilson presented a plaque to David Franklin as his parents, Alex and Tina Dugas, look on. On Saturday, December 9 Franklin, a 17-year-old youth affected with leukemia, harvested a 13-point buck at the Whitetail Dreams wild game ranch near Fulton, MO This was made possible by Safari Club International's Safari Wish program, which gives young people facing terminal illness the chance to fulfill lifelong dreams of hunting. Both Franklin and his parents hail from Poplar Bluff.
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Dr. William Cravens, MD, of Fulton, MO gives 17-year-old leukemia patient David Franklin of Poplar Bluff a medical examination prior to a Safari Wish hunt that took place December 9-10, 2000. Safari Wish is a program by Safari Club International Foundation that helps terminally ill children fulfill lifelong hunting dreams. Previously, Dr. Cravens consulted with Franklin's primary care physician, Dr. Dean Dye, MD to ascertain his current physical condition. He also constantly monitored David during the event. This included three formal exams, one on Saturday and two on Sunday. With Safari Wish, maintaining the health of the participants is paramount.
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David Franklin of Poplar Bluff, MO harvested this 13-point buck on December 9 at the Whitetail Dreams wild game ranch near Fulton. Franklin, a 17-year-old diagnosed with leukemia, is the recipient of a Safari Wish, a Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) program that helps terminally ill children realize lifelong hunting dreams. Most of the meat from the harvested buck was donated to Sportsmen Against Hunger, another of SCIF's many humanitarian programs. (l. to r.) Sam James, owner, Whitetail Dreams; Larry Dotson, Safari Wish guide; Franklin; Mike Wilmet, chairman, SCIF Public Relations Committee.
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David Franklin, a Missouri youth affected by leukemia, receives a firearms safety briefing from Safari Wish guide Larry Dotson. Whitetail Dreams Owner Sam James (l.) and David's father, Arthur Dugas (r.), are present for the important pre-hunt activity. Safari Wish, a humanitarian program of Safari Club International Foundation, helps terminally ill children fulfill lifelong dreams of hunting.