Dear Readers,
   The outpouring of emotion and sympathy I
have received from the fans and media has been
overwhelming. Caroline was only 37 when she
lost her battle with the disease called Lupus. This
disease effects the immune system, often striking
young people like my sister, in their prime.
   I would request that instead of sending cards
and gifts in memory of my sister, a donation
could be made to the fund I have established in
her name. This donation would help towards the
research of Lupus. With hope a cure can be
found, and no family would have to suffer a loss
such as ours.

   You can send any donations to:

   Caroline Cochran-Lupus Fund at
   Florida Hospital
   c/o Florida Hospital Foundation
   616 E. Rollins St.
   Suite 103
   Orlando, FL 32803

   Thank you.

   Howie D. of the Backstreet Boys

What Howie remembers most about his sis was her dedication to "pumping him up" and making him feel good about entering the shaky world of showbiz.

Howie recently suffered the loss of his big sister, Caroline. We wanted to print his open letter to his Backstreet Boys fans who gave him so much support in his time of grief. We admire Howie and the boys for canceling some late summer shows in the Midwest in her honor, and then getting right back into the spirit of giving by putting on world class concerts (and, of course, dedicating the shows in Caroline's honor).

- Teen Girl Power

February 1999