PHOTO: President Obama Wears T-Shirt Supporting Dublin Teen Battling Cancer

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

President Barack Obama was sporting a new shirt this week. Obama’s shirts don’t usually make headlines but this shirt was special. Obama was photographed aboard Air Force One wearing a t-shirt in support of a Dublin teen battling stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma.

On Feb 4. John Podesta, counselor to Obama, posed in a photo with the President as he wore a shirt bearing the #CamilleStrong hashtag now known all over the Tri-Valley.

Podesta tweeted, “Camille, the President wanted you to know he was thinking about you on AF1.”

Camille Chabot is a former Dublin Young Citizen of the Year and has become famous in the Tri-Valley area as she pushes to beat her cancer. Once Chabot was diagnosed, a movement began in the Chabot household. It quickly spread throughout the tight-knit community and soon the #CamilleStrong rally cry could be heard all over Dublin. Since the summer, hundreds of photos from all over the community have been posted on social media using the #CamilleStrong hashtag.

How did the shirt and Chabot’s story make it all the way to the President of the United States? Podesta is the father of Dublin School Board Trustee Megan Rouse, who helped facilitate getting Chabot’s story— and her shirt— to Obama.

When White House representatives were asked how Podesta got Obama to take time to pose for the shot, they told Patch Podesta said, “The only important story is Camille’s—stay strong.”

Podesta’s tweet was sent on World Cancer Day. It has been retweeted 447 times and has garnered 619 favorites since it was posted earlier this week. East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell shared the photo on his Facebook page.

“Thank you, Mr. President and Mr. Pedosta, for using my #CamilleStrong story to represent all cancer stories, past and present, so that there will be fewer stories of disease in the future,” Chabot said.

Chabot has been lucky enough to recently run into Bethany Mota, one of her favorite YouTube stars, while shopping at the local mall in Pleasanton. Chabot also snapped a photo with country music artist Sam Hunt following a recent concert performance she attended.

Follow Camille’s journey on Facebook. Those interested in ordering a #CamilleStrong shirt, wristband or scarf can email camillestrongfoundation@gmail.com. A family friend started a GoFundMe page to help Chabot with future medical bills.

Previously on Patch:

• Community Goes #CamilleStrong to Support Dublin Teen Fighting Cancer
• Dublin Teen Battling Cancer Scores Unforgettable Photo After Running into YouTube Star Bethany Mota
• Camille Chabot, Dublin’s Young Citizen of the Year

Photo courtesy John Podesta via Twitter