Charlie is a 17-year-old Lynx Point Siamese in Philadelphia, PA, who needs $2,000 for radiation and chemotherapy.

Charlie was rescued by our family when he was only a few months old. Mistreated by his previous owners, we first found him shivering outside in the snow in the dead of a brutal northeast winter. Despite the experience, Charlie maintained a friendly and curious attitude toward strangers and quickly settled into his new home. Charlie soon distinguished himself from our other pets with his big personality and loud siamese style vocalizations. From the time he was kitten to the present day he has always been an insatiable kneader, seeking out the softest of blankets and cushions to sink his paws into. My best friend handmade me a blanket a few years ago, and immediately Charlie claimed it as his blanket. Unlike our other cats, he would often follow us around the house like a dog, and he still finds it intolerable to be alone in a room while there are human companions present elsewhere. Many cats are quick to voice their displeasure at an unwanted belly rub, but Charlie extends this intolerance to nearly his entire body. A gentle back scratch sustained for a mere second too long can initiate a test of reflexes between you and him as you race to pull your hand away before his disapproving fangs get to it first. Charlie always sticks up for himself, but it is only a matter of time before he's back purring in your lap. Charlie has never been the most graceful cat, but his adventurousness and bravery are second to none. After spending the better part of year repeatedly jumping onto and walking along a narrow second floor railing, one day he finally fell off and landed straight on his head, giving himself a bloody nose in the process (so much for the 'cats always land on their feet' myth...). We debated methods of deterring him from repeating this stunt, but to out surprise he never once tried to jump onto the railing again. In another instance in which my mother had locked herself out of the house accidentally, Charlie — taking advantage of his considerable height — reached up to the garage doorknob and repeatedly smacked it until it fell clean off the door, allowing her to enter. Much to my worriment, Charlie has always longed to shed his 'indoor-cat' status and be free to explore the world at large. Even entering and leaving your home becomes an exercise in balance and coordination as you try push him away with one foot while trying to hop through a door opening barely wider than your body with the other foot. On the rare occasion that he does manage to slip out, he quickly realizes that the world is a bigger, scarier place than he was imagining from the comfort and safety of his home, and much of his courage soon evaporates. However, a secure harness and a human companion provides him with the confidence he needs to enjoy an outdoor sunbath. More than anything though, Charlie is a wonderful and affectionate companion who has brought joy to the lives of all those who have been lucky enough to know him. Charlie has always been a constant through the tough times in my life. Now, in his time of need, I want to be to able to repay all that he has given me by helping him live the longest, happiest life he can.