In the Pipeline:

On the Quiksilver website recently, there was a moving entry. It read in part: “Recently all of us at Quiksilver and Roxy had a very inspirational guest come and visit us: Natalie Sanchez! Natalie, who lives in Huntington Beach not far from Quiksilver headquarters, has Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of cancer usually found in children and young adults. Natalie has been going through chemo and radiation at CHOC since last fall. In April, part of her pelvic bone and some surrounding bones were removed. Natalie is learning to walk with walkers and crutches while she finishes up chemo this summer (she will have gone through 14 treatments of chemo when done). In the hopes of lifting Natalie’s spirits during these difficult times, our very own artists Corrine Mayer, Nick Yarger and Brett Bayley created amazing custom walkers to aid Natalie in her recovery. The entire Quiksilver team would like to thank Natalie for her inspiration, and we all hope you get well soon.

Natalie and her family are members of our school parish, and so I’ve been aware of her situation (and in a couple of weeks, you’ll get to know more about Natalie and her incredible family in this column). But what the Quiksilver Foundation did was so special, I wanted to make you aware of it because they are a sparkling example of what good can be done in a community when the right minds are behind it.

Ryan Ashton, director of the foundation, told me he first heard of Natalie’s situation through Barbara McAndrews, who works at Quiksilver and whose daughter attends school with Natalie. After that, Ryan said, “We contacted our in-house artists and asked for their help to customize a walker and pair of crutches that Natalie would have to use once she was out of the hospital. We had four artists contribute their time and resources to create one-of-a-kind works of art for Natalie. The inspiration behind it was really up to the individual artist. They all excel with different mediums, so the walker and crutches took on lives of their own. They look amazing!”

As far as Natalie’s visit to Quiksilver and the reaction, Ryan said, “People were thrilled to see Natalie, and everyone stopped by to welcome her. Natalie was amazed with our offices. Quiksilver is in the fun business, so our offices are pretty cool.” Looking at the expression on Natalie’s face, I’d say she was also impressed with the art that was created just for her by a group of people who took it upon themselves to give some strength and support to an amazing young girl. Well done, Quiksilver.

The Quiksilver foundation is a nonprofit that does some incredible philanthropic work, and you can learn more about it at quiksilverfoundation.org.

Some more local news: Big congratulations to Mayor Keith Bohr and his wife, Elizabeth, on the birth of their son, Duke Brian Keith Bohr, who arrived in at 10:47 a.m. July 8. I asked Bohr if he envisions any political career yet for his first son, and he told me, “Public service for sure whether volunteering or, if he must, elected politics.” There is a funny, interesting origin behind the name of their beautiful little baby, and if you happen to see the mayor, ask him about it. As many of you can attest, there are few moments more memorable in life than that first time you hold your child, and so congratulations once more, Mayor Bohr, on this most special event. When the young man is ready for an interview, let me know and I’ll be over.

Reporting from New York, this is your humble correspondent signing off.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at chris@chrisepting.com .