Relay for Life: Bakersfield.com

Family Photoshoots - 1/2 the money raised will go to the 2010 Relay for Life

I am an amateur photographer and I am hosting a fundraiser for the 2010 Relay for Life. I am doing family photos for $50 a session and 1/2 the money raised will go to the 2010 Relay for Life. Are you a cancer survivor, or a cancer patient and want to savor the moment by taking photos with your family or are you a family who has lost a loved one to cancer and want to honor the memory of your friend or family member or just someone who wants to help a great cause? Now is the time. You will receive all the photos and help raise money for great cause.

Rebecca

Becky Bug's Photography

please email me at stevebeckyash@sbcglobal.net

or call me at 661-204-7860

Free Poster Memorial For Loved ones lost to cancer.

Relay for Life team, Team Memories, will be making posters to hang up at our campsite at the Relay event May 2nd and 3rd at CSUB.. These posters will have pictures of loved ones we have lost to cancer, with a brief description of how that person has impacted our (your) life, or a favorite memory of that person, etc. If anyone would like to email me a picture of a loved one, we will be more than thrilled to make a poster in honor of them for all of Bakersfield to see at the Relay event... This is free,, so please email, klsosweet@msn.com, asap so that we can get your poster made... Thank You Very Much......... Kourtnee

Free Memorial for loved ones who lost their lives to cancer.

My Relay for Life team, Team Memories, will be making posters to hang up at our campsite at the Relay event May 2nd and 3rd at CSUB.. These posters will have pictures of loved ones we have lost to cancer, with a brief description of how that person has impacted our (your) life, or a favorite memory of that person, etc. If anyone out there in cyber blog world would like to email me a picture of a loved one, we will be more than thrilled to make a poster in honor of them for all of Bakersfield to see at the Relay event... This is free,, so please email, klsosweet@msn.com, asap so that we can get your poster made... Thank You.........

Miracles Can Happen

I want to start out saying, life has had its ups and downs for me, but because of that I have learned to appreciate life along the way. Keep a smile on my face and take life one day at a time and sometimes it was just an hour or a minute at a time.

I got "The Phone Call" "You Have Cancer" on my deceased mother's birthday, July 8, 2005 while I was packing to move to my first house with my only child, Nicole. I just couldn't believe it. NO, they had to be wrong. I called for a second opinion but they said the same thing. The lab had to be wrong. I had this lump for several years, the doctor said it was just a cyst. It didn't grow, move or hurt.

I finally conceded to surgery Aug 2005. They did a mastectomy on my left breast plus took out lymph nodes. Apparently that's how they diagnose the stage, so I was stage 3. They gave me until October to recuperate from surgery to start chemo. What I didn't know was that the surgery was the easy part. I took chemo until May 2007. My doctor wouldn't even tell me the side effects because he thought I might get them just from knowing. Well, I got them anyway. I was sick so much I couldn't work.

OK, I thought — think of the bright side, now I will lose those unwanted pounds. No, they didn't want me to lose weight, I even had to take pills to keep weight on. Bummer! I thought maybe I could find a few beneifts. Hmmmm. I lost my hair for about a year but you know a girl couldn't get a break, I still had to shave my legs for half of that. I went to Links for Life an awsome place and got me 5 wigs all different colors and styles so my boyfriend would have a variety but only me! I had to use a walker for a while because my legs were like spaghetti and my hands and feet went numb.

This is my first time to walk as a survivor. Yahoo! I have been doing Relay for Life since my stepmother passed in 1997 from cancer. I missed the last 2 years because last year I was in the hospital with double pnemonia and white blood count of 1 and the year before I was too weak. Usually I would wear a mask in big public places so I wouldn't get sick. I went to Disneyland last summer and got Streph throat that lasted 2 months. I had to stop in LA along the way back home to get a hotel cause I kept passing out on the freeway on the way home. Side Affects!

I had some wonderful people, family and friends to surround me and keep up my spirits. Arti Dunham is like a mom to me and I believe an Angel on earth. She came to help clean my house, fix meals, help me bathe and whatever it took. I had so many people say call if you need something. With her I didn't have to call - she was there! Also my father, Lorenz Johnso, and my niece Stephanie Johnson were by my side throughout. My daughter Nicole mentally crashed to a point, quitting her 2 jobs, dropping school to be home schooled. It was so hard on her to not know if her Mom was going to die or not. She survived and so did I. I'm so proud of her. She is graduating Nuke school in 1 week from the Navy. And now she is being stationed on the same ocean as me in San Diego. Yeah!!!

I never thought that I would really die. Sometimes I was so sick I wished it but I never believed it. I think the power of positive thinking will get you through so much. I'm now back to work as a Realtor. I lost everything financially and filed bankruptcy but hey that's only money. I have started over before and I can do it again. Life is great and even though I am 52 right now, I plan on at least another 50 years of traveling, talking to people and just appreciating each day. I have a prayer that I say that at the end I say my blessings. Being out here was very emotional, I didn't believe how much until I cried happy tears for at least an hour. Tears ran down my face as I walked the first lap seeing sooo many people high-fiving, shaking hands and just smiling and clapping the whole way around. I hope that we won't need to have this next year but if we do I will be here. Thanks for listening. Carrie

Girls Night Out, "Rockin' 4 a Cure"

We started our group, which we call "Girls Night Out," three years ago. We share all our life stories with each other and found that all of us have had a family member or friend who have died from cancer. Last year, one of the girls, Sandie, was diagnosed with cancer. The main reason we are here is we want Sandie to be a survivor! We will be here again next year because it is such a wonderful event to be part of.

In honor of Sandie Copeland, our survivor!

Hugs for 50 cents

I'm from Bakersfield High School and I'm out here to walk for Relay for Life and to suport our school and our Interact club. I thought I'd sell hugs for 50 cents and get as much money as I can raise and give it to charity. I've made a $1.50. It's really not for me, it's just to help out. And I feel like doing a good thing.

Our team consists of Interact club and Key club and also ROTC. There are 236 of us. Each of us had to raise $100. That equals $23,600 dollars. I don't know if we got it all, though. But pretty close.

My experiences with Relay for Life

I have been coming to the Relay for Life for 5 years and supporting a friend of mine from Wal-Mart. I just keep coming out because I'm a survivor also. I was very lucky because I hadn't been to a doctor in a long time and my husband finally got a job with insurance. So I went to the doctor and had a complete physical and they found abnormal cells in my cervix. But they took care of it.

I love it out here. It's the best place to come even if you have something to do for the wekend. Everybody is so great and they're right there if you need them. It's a really worthwhile cause.

When doing the survivor's lap, it's amazing, especially getting in the center, it's like your own little world. You see all the purple shirts, then people wave and shake your hand and congratulate you for living through this.

My friend from Wal-Mart, Donna Wheeler had breast cancer. She is with her sorority sisters now, right across from where we are. She has the fake breasts with the lumps so you can feel the lumps. She'll even pull hers out and show, it's like this. She's been here for years.

Cancer in a family

My first three great aunts died by age 40. Then my aunt won by age 36. Then my grandma won by age 39. I found my first lump at age 34 and was told is was nothing to worry about, but I fought my insurance and got my mammo and was told I had cancer. One lumpectumy later and 1 year later it was back. Another surgery and another year later it was back, now here I am at Relay for Life on my 37 birthday and having a double mastectemy on May 14, 2008 with reconstruction. I hope my battle will soon be over. For others out there stay strong and believe God will give us strength and A CURE.

Team S.O.F.I.A!!!

Hi Readers,

My name is Susanna and I am a first time relayer! Our family came out to support our beloved daughter, Sofia Rose Muñoz. She battled cancer almost all of her little life. She gave me so much faith when she was here and she left us, but full of faith. I am so greatful for such support from family and friends! Coming to the relay and actively participating, is very healing for us and it just put a smile on my face for the whole 24 hours! Seeing survivors made me emotiional and happy! Keep fighting the good fight guys and never give up. Sofia never once gave up, in fact she fought her way out of the world and into heaven. Thank God for her and for all the people she has brought together!

She is our reason to relay!

I'm a survivor

In 2006 I went to a dermatologist and he cut out a growth that was in my ear. He told me it was malignant. In 2007, it came back and I was at CBCC and they cut it out again. And then I had one cut out of my right eye, just under the eye, and it was malignant but they got all that out, thank God. I come out to Relay for Life because I believe in helping out people who are cancer survivors.

They had to ride me around the survivors lap. It makes me feel astonished because of so many people that are survivors. It makes me feel great that I'm one of them. And I don't care what other people say, I think if a survivor can look around and see people in worse shape than they are in, it gives them more hope and more willingness to fight if they've still got cancer.

The importance of Relay for Life

Before I was diagnosed, my mother had passed away two years before from a rare type of cancer. It was spindle cell cancer and there was no treatment for it at the time. She was in a research study but it didn't work for her.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. I've had both breasts surgically removed and reconstructed. I found my lump myself so self exams are important. I'm done with chemo and I have a few more surgeries for the reconstruction process. I've been blessed to have great friends and supporters. I was able to support a good friend of mine who was diagnosed with breast cancer just after I was.

I've done Relay for Life for three years since. The first year, I walked while I was going through chemotherapy. This event is so important because it supports research, the development of new drugs and it provides support for cancer patients and their families.

This is the second Relay for LIfe I've done this year. I just moved to Bakersfield a few weeks ago from Yuma, AZ. I did one in Yuma before I moved here. The Bakersfield event is a lot larger. This is huge.

I'm under the grace of God and he took care of me

I'm a breast cancer survivor, praise God. I was diagnosed in 1998 because of a lump in my right breast, which I prayed and prayed to go away. But it didn't so eventually they found out it was cancer. The doctor who treated me was also my employer, Ravi Patel at CBCC. They took care of me through the whole process. My daughter was 10 years old at that time. And she took care of me. She grew up so fast.

I have been cancer free since then. I've had good days and bad days, but family and friends help you along. Also, I'm Catholic so I went to my Msgr. Ron Swett and he gave me an annointing of the sick sacrament. From then on, I'm under the grace of God and he took care of me.

The oncologist who treated me has a team here at Relay for Life so I joined them automatically. Also, a personal friend, Dr. E. Bella and family, were also very instrumental in my treatment and recovery.

Ten of us raised $23,000

We're called Bob Miller and Friends: Pull Together to Help Find a Cure. Our captain is Scottie Miller, who lost her husband Bob Miller to cancer. Bob Miller saw the first Relay they had in Bakersfield and said to his wife, "We have to do this next year. We'll have a team." Then he died of cancer before the next relay. So his wife Scottie is carrying on his dream of having a team. This team has been together for nine years. We call ourselves the little team that can. We're 10 on the team and for a number of years we've been in the Top 10 teams that raised the most money. This year we raised over $23,000. My daughter comes from North Carolina, my sister comes from Detroit. We have a young woman who comes from Iowa. My other daughter comes from Los Angeles. My mother died of ovarian cancer five years ago so that's why all my family comes.

My mom had cancer and two weeks later, so did I

I was diagnosed in 1993. I had called the Cancer Society to get information to help me deal with my mom because my mom had cancer. And two weeks later, I had to use the information for myself. It was breast cancer and I went through a year of chemo.

Every year I go through a lot of tests. I haven't been sick and I haven't had a flare up. This is my sixth year doing Relay for Life. There's a lot of people who don't understand cancer. You would really have to go through it to understand. I thank God that I'm still here.

I'm a private care nurse and I deal with a lot of people who have cancer.

It was scary at first. I took it both ways. I'm blessed that I'm still here. It could have been worse. I'm happy.

Walking in the survivor walk was a feeling you never forget. My first time around, I think I cried for two days. I was happy that I was around so many people going through what I went through. That's a lot of support.

Relay for Life

My sister had cervical cancer in 1996 after she had a baby. After he was born they found the cancer. She went through chemo and it was so hard seeing her sick and throwing up all the time. We helped her. We did everything we could because she was so sick. I'm so happy she's doing good. She's been in remission since.

Relay for Life is important because I care what happens to people's families. I want to support the survivors. That's what I'm doing this for. My sister couldn't be here today because she has to work but we're here for her. This is a great program. It makes everyone open their eyes and realize what we have.

I lost my mother-in-law to cancer

I got a couple of friends who have passed away and a mother-in-law. I've seen my friends go through it and it's heartbreaking. But the worst was my mother-in-law. We watched her when it first started, she was coughing up blood. She didn't get diagnosed right away. When she did, it was already in an advanced stage. Then going through the chemo, seeing the pain that she was in.

It seems like it was just yesterday. It was like three or four years ago. It was lung cancer. She never smoked, but she would go play bingo, where people smoked. I remember the last day, it was like she went into a coma state. They called me form work, told me they couldn't wake her up. I rushed home. The house was full with family, friends. People from our churches. She woke up, said she was real hungry and thirsty. It was like she knew we all were there cuz she thanked everyone for coming. They made her some food and my father-in-law got up and they had one last dance together. Everybody went out of the room so they could have their private time.

I went outside to eat. I was sitting with one of my brothers-in-law and he and I looked at each other, we both smelled something. It was candles and roses, but we were both outside by the pool. We looked at each other, knew it was time. We went inside and she slowly passed away. It was beautiful but it was sad.

Ever since then, we've been participating in Relay for Life. We just recently had a friend, Randy, pass away from throat cancer. I can't believe the battle I would have to see them fight. After chemo, my mother-in-law would be in tears. She was a strong woman. I never saw her cry until that. There's nothing more you can do but be there and love them and thank God you have them every day.

It's an awesome thing too see this, the people of Bakersfield pull together like this. Not necessarily becuase you know someone wtih cancer. But at one point or another, it touches people in every family.

Bobby's Brigade

Our doctor's office is Mesa West Medical. This year we did Bobby's Brigade because he passed away Nov. 10, 2007 of Leukemia. Bobby is my son. He had down syndrome and he was diagnosed Dec. 15, 2005, with Leukemia. So he went numerous times for chemo and his cancer treatements. He did bone marrow biopsies, blood transfusions, off and on at the hospital for months at a time. He was in remission and out of remission. And then in Oct. of 2007 there was no more they could do for him. So he lost his battle. He was 22. He died two days before his birthday.

But through everything, all the pain, he always had a smile on his face through it all. He loved life. And every time we passed through here at Relay for Life every year, because we camped out, he thought it was for him, everyone was here for him. He would say, "Mom, for me?" and we would play along and say "Yes, for you." We weren't going to do it this year, but I think he would have wanted it. And he's here with us. He touched everyone's heart in one way or another. And when he smiled he smiled with his whole heart.

Our office is touched by other people, too. Our nurse practictioner Kevin Nelson has non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He's doing good. He's been through some treatments. Our biller, Brenda Petersen, her husband Olaf, also has no-Hodgkins Lymphoma. So our whole office , we walk for them as well. I'm a medical assistant at Mesa West Medical. This year we have even our patients. We have well over 25 people on our team. We passed last year's fundraising goal, so we're close to $6,000 now.

Our doctor is a big part of it, he's always encouraging us to do things. Dr. William Gilli lets us take the time we need to do extracurricular things like fundraisers, meetings. He supports us 100 percent in everything we do.

LIFE!

Coming here today, means to me learning more about everyone's struggles, and tough life stories. Before I thought it was just me and that there wasn't many people with cancer, Coming here shows I'm not the only one. People with cancer are living their day to day lifes. I came here today to feel strong and that I'm not alone. It has been a struggle but it's good to know that there are people out there that care and help you find solutions to your problems. It's good to know there is someone helping you fight back to find life.

Being a Survivor

Being a five-year survivor has been a very enlightened experience. In October 2002 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. From this I had to have a right breast masectomy. At the time my job had just ended and I did not have insurance. With the help of my nurse she was able to get me enrolled into a pilot program which resulted in a great team of doctors to help diagnose and treat the cancer. I had to have an intense treatment. The most rewarding result of going through breast cancer was not only the faith I have in God but, the support of my husband, children, family, friends and much prayer. This journey to being cancer -free has been tremendouse. I look at life positively and take nothing for granted. I am blessed to still be here. Much love and thanks to all agencies who find it in their hearts and time to put on such a special event.

My Story

My journey with cancer started June 6, 2007 when I received the news that I had "Cancer". It came as a slap in the face, as I was is the best health of my life, or so I thought. That started a jouurney that I will never forget. Ij was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my first thought was to look on the internet and get information. That was so overwhelming, I talked to friends and then contacted the American Cancer Society. They supplied me with a wealth of informmation designed specifically for the type of breast cancer that I had. They were also a wonderful support for me as I went through my treatment.

I elected to have a lympecctomy, and followed up with chemotherapy and radiations treatments which I just finished in February of this year. The Saturday before my surgergy for the breast cancer by loyal 4 legged friend "Parker Sue" was diagnosed with a tumor along her spine. The vet told me there was nothing they could do for her. As as result on July 6 of last year I had to have my best friend but down. The amazing thing is the strength I drew from that little dog while going through my cancer treatments.

The main thing that got me through this journey is my faith in God and the love and support of friends of neighbors. My neighbors Fred and Rick, and good friends Jacqui and Steve took care of my every need from transportation to chemo treatments, grocery shopping and every thing inbetween. We truly do need the love and support of of family and friends when dealing with cancer.

I support relay because I realize the need that is out there. And I also know the finanacial drain of cancer especially if you don't have insurance. I know the ACS has programs that help out in this area, and I will be a supporter for rest of my life.

Alex is a fighter

Alex: Hi my name is Alexandria. I'm 12 years old I'm here today because I'm a cancer survivor. I've been a survivor for about 8 years.

Tina: When she was 1 1/2 she got diagnosed with a blood cancer, histiocytosis type x. She was just really sick. She had fevers for over a month. They kept saying she had ear infections. The cancer was attackikng her liver and her spleen. She was on tubes for medication and food.

When I see pictures they cared enough for me that they would spend time with me and give me medicine and find out what I have. When I see the picture, I think I was scared. Mom says, she was really brave. She was a fighter. She had a 50-50 chance of survivial.

This is our second year coming. It feels good to see all the survivors that are here and that Alex is a part of this now, it makes us happythat she's stil here and she fought it and she's a survivor.

BOB COHAN’S PASSION; OUR MISSION

Come on out to one of the largest fundraising events in Bakersfield, the American Cancer Society’s 16th Annual Bakersfield Relay For Life takes place this weekend (Friday, May 2nd – Sunday, May 4th) at the CSUB Soccer fields. This wonderful event will raise over a million dollars to help find a cure for cancer and help patients and families in the very difficult fight to recover from cancer.

With over 350 relay events in California, the Bakersfield Relay is the largest event in California and out of over 5,000 relay events nationwide; the Bakersfield Relay is ranked the 2nd largest Relay For Life in the World. Our relay team, the “Too Much Fun Club”, would like to thank many people for their hard work, dedication and financial contribution for making this event such a wonderful success.

While there are many who deserve recognition, there is one special person the “Too Much Fun Club” would like to highlight, our inspirational leader Bob Cohan. Bob was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in January 1990. After a year of chemotherapy and radiation, Bob has been in remission for 17 years. Bob became involved with the Bakersfield Relay For Life 16 years ago to help other cancer survivors but also because he loves to run and have fun!

In January of this year, Bob suffered a stroke and soon realized he would not be able to participate in the Relay, which was upsetting to him. Not only has Bob been involved with this event as a cancer survivor since day one but he has also been one of the top individual fundraisers for the past 15 years, which is astonishing!

Now Bob is up against the difficult challenges of rehabilitation after the stroke, but also struggling with the realization he would not be able to take part in his beloved Relay For Life! As his team members, we wanted to honor him and carry on his tradition of raising funds for this wonderful event. As a team, we also challenged each other to match the amount of funds Bob raised at last years event. Unbeknownst to Bob, we secretly contacted each donor from his various “hit lists” and requested they contribute to the 2008 Relay in Bob’s name so he could be an honorary member of the “Too Much Fun Club”.

At Relay 2007, Bob raised an amazing $25,154, which surprisingly ended up being the 2nd highest amount of money raised by an individual out of 10,000 participants. This was the first year since the inception of the event that Bob was not the #1 individual fundraiser. Over 315 teams participated and the entire event raised $1,565,500 to go towards cancer research and education.

For Bob, holding the #1 individual fundraising title has never been what drives him to raise money. As a cancer survivor himself, Bob knows the great work (i.e. advocacy, patient services, research and education) provided to patients and family members. It is Bob’s passion that has driven the “Too Much Fun Club” team to success in the past and his passion that drives us to reach this goal for him now!

Thanks to wonderful contributors in Bakersfield and throughout the State of California, as of today, Friday, May 2nd, we have collected a total of $27,273 in Bob’s name for the American Cancer Society. Our team total, which includes Bob’s total, is $50,250 with monies still coming in! We are proud to say this is the most money the “Too Much Fun Club” team has ever raised for the American Cancer Society.

As for Bob, we are pleased to report he is home and is getting better day-by-day! We are looking forward to seeing Bob running around the track next year at Relay 2009.
Together, we are making a difference!

Too Much Fun Club Team Members

In Honor of Our Dear Friend Bob Cohan, the
Too Much Fun Club Team Members

Teens donate birthday gifts in honor of their grandfathers

Morgan Mize and Baylie Duncan celebrated their entrance into the “teen years” with a huge party. They have been best friends since kindergarten and their birthdays are only a month apart, so a combination party seemed in order. A big birthday bash with all their school friends from Warren Jr. High, included dinner and dancing for 50 – it really was a dream for both girls.

A huge party normally means lots of gifts – right? The girls had thought about that and actually felt kind of guilty about asking their friends for gifts; when they really felt blessed with everything they “need” and most of what they “want.” “Let’s ask for donations and then give them to a charity,” they suggested. Picking a charity was not hard at all – The American Cancer Society was the obvious choice. Both girls have lost their grandfathers to cancer, Don Fournier in 2002 (Morgan) and Larry Morris in 2007 (Baylie).

With happy hearts they sent out the invitations with a small note tucked inside, “In lieu of gifts, a donation to The American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated - in honor of our grandfathers.” On Friday, April 18 the birthday party went off without a hitch, the kids had a great time and many of them came in the door with envelopes.

To their amazement and surprise, those little envelopes held more than $1,300 in donations to the ACS. Friends and family stepped up to the plate and made those donations in honor of Morgan and Baylie’s grandfather’s and the loved ones in their own lives that have or will suffer from cancer in their lifetime. What an accomplishment!!

Morgan and Baylie will make their donation at Relay for Life this weekend – two thirteen year old girls that traded birthday presents for donations to a charity. Maybe teenagers aren’t all bad.

Cancer survivors: Come out to Relay for Life!

Hi. I'm Glenn Davis. I'm 62 and I am a survivor of melanoma and prostrate cancer. I am the Survivor Chair for Relay for Life.

I have been involved in Relay for Life for 14 years, starting on a team, then getting involved with the Luminaria for about three years. Then I helped with survivorship for the past six years. I became chair for survivorship this year as last year's chair and friend, Dana Fabbri, talked me into taking the position, along with other subcommittee members.

Even though I am a survivor, I feel I have not gone through what other survivors have, such as major surgeries, chemo and radiation. Many survivors say not only are they grateful for the support from their family and friends, but also when they walk that first lap at Relay for Life (called the survivor lap), the cheers from the community make them feel there is hope.

As chair, I want to encourage all survivors to come out for the first lap. A survivor is anyone who has been told they have cancer.

Survivors may register online at www.events.cancer.org/rflbakersfieldca or register at the survivor tent at CSUB on Friday, May 2, from 4 to 8 p.m., or on Saturday, May 3 from 6 a.m. on. The survivor lap is at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Please arrive as early as possible to make sure you get your shirt and in line on time.

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Share Your Story!

We want to know who is participating in Relay for Life, and what the experience means to you. Share your stories and photos online at www.bakersfield.com/yourwords. Contributions Editor Jennifer Baldwin will also be next to the main stage from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with a computer and camera for you to blog about your experience and have your picture taken. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Polyp Man Says ...

I'm doing this to raise the awareness that colon cancer is out there and you should get check ups for it. Once you pass 50, you got to get it checked up or it might sneak up on you. Something as small as a collection of feces in the colon can cause cancer.

I volunteered to be Polyp Man. On top of wanting to volunteer, I'm also doing it for my grandma. She has pancreatic cancer right now. She's been taking some high roads, some bumpy roads, and roads that just have a dead end. But somehow she finds the straight road again. Primarily because Jesus is watching over her.

People either ask me, What are you? Are you a Hershey kiss? A strawberry? A hemoglobin? A drop of blood? Or others walk up and say I'm a cool guy. They ask, Are you hot in there?

A polyp is a weakening in the colon wall that first comes out as a bubble, then gradually collects feces and causes cancer. So an annual check up of a colonoscopy can prevent you from getting cancer.

Polyp Man Says: Get the test, get the polyp, get the cure!

My Greatest Loss but Heaven's Gain

My mother, husband and sister all succumbed to cancer almost two years ago, all in an 8-month period. Such a great part of my life is missing. But I'm here today at Relay for Life walking in memory of them.
                   Forever in my heart,
                         Cherlyn Young-Matthews
                         James
                          Destiny

In loving memory of my father

In the year of 2005, my father Willie Young died from prostate cancer. My father was a good and faithful active man. He loved the word of God. I still miss you dad. No matter what, you will truly be in my heart. It seems like it was yesterday that I saw you. I really miss talking to you. You were there whenever I needed you. I really can't believe you're actually gone. But you know what, when I die, I want to go to heaven and be with you. I will always be your baby girl. Even though you are not here, I am still going to be Daddy's Little Girl. But guess what, I wish you were here so you could see how big and tall I am.
I am still beautiful. I love you daddy. I will always be your shadow.
                                                                        Love,
                                                                                       Destiny

Hope for our future

I'm 27 years old and have been involved in relay for 8 years now. My grandma Mary Luna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. She underwent chemotherapy for about a year and has been cancer free since. Thank God ! I also work at CBCC (comprehensive blood and cancer center). Because of this, each year Relay for Life has become more and more personal. Remembering my grandma and seeing my patients that i often come to be good friends with battle this disease makes me push harder to help find a cure. People often ask me why I relay and I tell them for my children. They are our future and I hope and pray that they never have to suffer from this disease, but if they ever do that there will be a cure for them. Thank you to everyone who supports American Cancer Society Relay for Life for giving Hope for our future.

Community for a cure

Wow where do I begin? I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this weekend-long community event for the past 3 years. My former employers T-mobile have been involved with this great event. In the past I have witnessed the awareness of cancers, effects on people and their loved ones. The Relay for Life is full of educational and emotional facts and stories. Every year that I have been a part of this event I have met a lot of great people and was able to partake in the fun of raising money for the cure. The spirit of Bakersfield's community coming together for one weekend to love and spread love for others is a great experience to live. I would recommend for everyone to be involved in Relay for Life once in their life. It's a rewarding and refreshing event with a great sense of how humanity is shining its true colors by pulling together for a cure for a deadly disease that has affected almost everyone in some way or another.

Racing for Gracie

A few years ago I was given an opportunity to be a nursing caregiver to a little girl with a brain stem tumor. Gracie has a twin sister who was by her side throughout the whole experience, as was the rest of the family and many friends. I believe I found a new family. We all grew very close and remain that way today. This is the reason I'm here at the Relay for this family and all families who have or are experiencing the fight against cancer!

Addressing Disparities in Cancer Care

At Relay for Life, I spoke about the need to get all people in Bakersfield who are uninsured or underinsured to call the American Cancer Society if they suspect they have a cancer to find out what resources are available to them.

I urged all people listening to get their friends to stop smoking since that is the single best way to prevent the development of lung cancer. I spoke about the need for all women to get an initial mammogram at 40 years of age and for all men and women to get a colonoscopy at 50 years of age. I also urged all women to have an annual PAP smear.

Wonder Woman fights cancer

Feb. 7, 2005. It's barely been two years. When the doctor told me, he wasn't good, he just said you have cancer. I was just crying. The doctor gave me two weeks off work and I thought that was it. But then I had to make a decision right away either to have a partial or complete mastectomy. I went for complete because I wanted to make sure it worked. I went through depression and crying all the time. So my daughter Karina gave me some Chicken Soup books. I had my best friend come to see me and it was nice for them to come all the way from Laredo, Texas to visit. I went to the chemo. My kids took the time to take me and they were there for me. When my system was down, I couldn't even walk. I couldn't smell food. If I didn't take my pills, I would be throwing up and sick all the time. It was a bad experience. I wouldn't wish my worst enemy to go through it because it's not a good feeling. I was off for 11 months and work gave me time. People prayed for me. Now I am cancer free. It feels good because you're a survivor. Give God thanks for every day of your life.

Lifting Spirits

They walk through our door with that last breath of hope. How do you look into their eyes and you yourself already know what the outcome is going to be? What do you do? You smile like nothing has changed.

Debbie, Meg and Mary are walking the Relay for Life for the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center of Bakersfield. CBCC delivers chemotherapy treatments to cancer patients and organizes several support groups.

Mother still fighting cancer

We're out here walking for Lorenda Kunkel at Relay for Life here on this beautiful May 5th day. Many people are out here supporting others. Lorenda is doing well. She is currently at Memorial Hospital here in Bakersfield. She is getting ready to go back to UCLA for chemo and radiation for 2 more weeks. Her two kids are doing very well, being taken care of by father's sister Michelle Patte. All we can do is pray and hope like Mr. Kunkel said before. We often crack jokes but she asks us to stop because it hurts to laugh. Pray on and we appreciate Bakersfield's help with the car wash and donations. Thank you to Mr. Walls at Standard Middle School for the donations from the band. Lorenda was a former clarinet player in the band and now her little sister attends the school and plays the baritone. Go warriors!

Wheeling for Relay

My team is the Lymphoma Crusaders. My friend, Steven Holland, is my team captain. He had lymphoma a couple years ago and we were all real worried about him because he had a baby. Real cute little boy. When he recovered he decided to get involved. And he asked me to get involved.

I raised money last year and I did pretty well. I did pretty well raising money again this year. I'm a Cal State student and I asked a lot of faculty to help me.

I really enjoy this, especially when people are coming up to me while I'm doing laps and they pat me on the back. They get choked up. I don't mind donating some time and sweat. If any company is interested in sponsoring me, depending on how many laps I do, I'm looking at 10 today. I'm about to start my third. I'll wear their shirt, hat, body paint, I don't care. This hat is from a restaurant and they donated to me, Jacalito Grill. They donated so I said I'd wear their hat. I've been surprised, people come out of the woodwork to donate.

My friend is cancer-free now.

It's tough, I'm sweating. But I look at these purple shirts out here and it ain't nothing compared to cancer. So I don't mind sweating some more. Give me some water and sunscreen and I'm good to go.

I'd just like to encourage people to come and donate or walk next year.

Hands of Hope

    Well, I've never had cancer and I don't plan to, but the fact still remains that cancer has certainly touched my life. I'd be hard-pressed to try and count all the people I know who are survivors on one hand.
    I am the captain of a Relay for Life team that's in its second year. We have no affiliation with a business or school, it is simply something we do for our own sake. We are a group of teens representing those who have had cancer or those who are still fighting.
    Team Hands of Hope came about two years ago when my aunt Terri who lives in Polson, Montana, and who is a breast cancer survivor, came to visit. She brought with her a large piece of fabric with dozens of traced hand prints on it. They were the hands of people who have suffered from cancer. She asked myself, my mom and my other aunt to make a quilt out of it. We gladly accepted the task. When we finished, the quilt was 6 feet by 9 feet! It was amazing! While we were making it we wrote phrases such as the usual, "Polson, Montana', and Relay for Life 2005". But we also wrote the references to several Bible verses containing words of comfort and strength and the slogan "Hands of Hope." That name just seemed to stick. It was then that we fashioned the team bearing the name "Hands of Hope."
    The reason I Relay: too many to count! Like I said, I can't count all the people with cancer I know on one hand. My mom had thyroid cancer and is doing fabulous. My aunt Terri has no trace of breast cancer anymore. My grandma has cancer and my grandpa died from it. Also our friend Kim, who might as well be a family member, has cancer as well. My team members also Relay for the same reason I do: our lives will never be the same. We've been touched by cancer.
    The only goal is to make as big a difference as we can-individually or as a team. We are all here for the same purpose. It has affected us all, in different ways but equal in force. We are all one big family, fighting for all the right reasons.

Reunited With the RELAY FOR LIFE

As a participant in the first Bakersfield "Relay for Life" event back in 1992, it's a moving experience to be back again to participate this year at the 15th annual "Relay for Life". Losing my mom to lung cancer in 1988 was instrumental in my efforts to put together a team with Beardsley Junior High students, who were very motivated to participate and find sponsors. Back then, all team members had to run 1 mile (around the stadium track at BC. ) and pass off a baton. It meant staying up 24 hours and running/walking a mile every 10th person.

Although the event has changed locations and structure, as now participants walk an hour and don't carry a baton, the purpose and spirt of this benefit event has not. There are now approximately 315 teams and an expected 10,000 people in attendance compared to the 20 teams 15 years ago. There are now survivors of cancer who participate in this event and are the true winners, as they walk their laps to receive the support of the cheering and clapping fans! We are all here as fans for finding a cure; coming together to cheer on a common goal ... beating cancer! It's great to come back to an event that shows what a giving community Bakersfield really is!

Short time survivor

In January of 2007 there were problems in my abdomen and I had pain that was unbearable for about six months prior. I finally went to the doctor and they requested that I go and do further testing, bloodwork and CT scan, afraid of what it might be. I was originally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that had spread to the liver. But they hadn't done a biopsy yet. After doing a CT scan and a biopsy, they realized that it was a stromal tumor of the stomach. The cure seems to be I'm on a chemotherapy medicine taken orally called Gleevec. We've done further CT scans and the tumor seems to be reducing with the possibility of being completely diminished. This is my first Relay for Life event. I just want to say thank you to everyone that supports cancer research and maybe because of their efforts a cure might be in the future for me. So again thank you to all that's here today from the bottom of my heart. Everything looks pretty good from here on out.

I had brain cancer

I had brain cancer. Luckily I only had it once. They had a lot of poking to do, so I had a line in my chest. Now they still have to do MRIs every six months. Now I'm feeling much better and I can do other stuff too. I am 9 years old. I go to Beardsley. When I first had it, I was 4. I've had three brain surgeries. They had to cut the back of my head. Then I survived. Walking around here it's pretty neat for me. It was a little scary having brain cancer.

The power of prayer

I'm a 9 year survivor of nonhodgkins lymphoma of the bone. I was diagnosed on July 24, 1998. I went through 6 months of chemo. During that time I had a respiratory arrest and a cardiac arrest. I survived it all and here I am. I have a wonderful family. My husband Vince is just outstanding. I felt like I was surrounded and loved by prayer because so many people were praying for me. I have relatives in Canada and I was in everybody's prayer circle. I felt I was wrapped in prayer. I'm sure that's what brought me through.

Msgr Stephen Frost gave me the blessing of the sick at least three times to be sure that I would pull through. I go to Christ the King church.

It's been a wonderful blessing. It helps youi realize what is important in life and don't sweat the small stuff. I've gone on to do the things I never thought I'd have the time for. one is oil painting. It's a crazy group of 10 ladies and we meet on Tuesday afternoon at Winnie DeShutter's, the instructor. And this last year I was declared totally free of cancer, so I've gone back to work as an RN and this is my anniversary of my first full year of being back at work. I thank God every day for the blessings that I have.

To all of you, thank you.

Fighting for life

Both of my parents died of cancer. I was diagnosed in 2004 with breast cancer. I am now cancer free. I am going to beat this for my parents and for my wonderful husband, Mark, and my beautiful family. Thank you all for your support and help. Love you Deana

Happy to be here

I am an 8-year survivor. I did 32 days radiation, didn't ever lose any work time. I've never had a relapse. I raised two kids as a single parent. I have grandkids now. I have been coming here since 2002. Lost my dear friend and partner that I would come here with every year in November from cancer. I miss her so much. The survivor's lap, that's my 15 minutes of fame. I like the walk, it's very nice. Lots of fun.

Spectacularly Ginormouse Warehouse Sale raises money for Relay for Life

Relay for Life

“We'd never know how high we are till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky.” Emily Dickinson

Cancer often sneaks up like a thief in the night. It slips in quietly, gradually taking what it wants. A little here and a little there, not enough that anyone would notice. Then one day, those little pieces start to be missed. An unexplained ache here, a shooting pain there. Eventually the loss of those little pieces is nothing less than catastrophic.

There’s the initial doctor’s appointment to find out what’s wrong. A few tests later and there’s a possibility it may be cancer. Next comes the waiting. Then the call comes. The fear of the unknown steadily creeps in. It’s nothing compared to the shock and realization that yes, it is cancer. Anger and acceptance follow closely on the heels of the disbelief that there may not be many tomorrows left. Finally, hope begins to push all those other feelings out.

Hope, a tiny four letter word that has the power to move mountains. It’s because of hope that so many people have become involved in the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life. Hope that if they care enough, raise enough money, show enough support, fight hard enough, cancer will be beat.

Coldwell Banker has been participating in Relay For Life for over eleven years. For the past five years they have consistently been in the top ten for raising money and this year looks to be no different. Fans of garage and estate sales will not want to miss out on Coldwell Banker’s major fundraiser taking place on April 14, 2007. Words like gigantic and enormous do little in explaining just how big this event will be.

When trying to find a word that aptly describes the magnitude of the event, I had to look beyond the conventional. This event is no mere garage, rummage or estate sale. This is the grand-daddy of sales. Thousands of square feet of furniture, oodles of clothes and shoes, miscellaneous items whose names have been long forgotten, all being sold under one roof. Something of this enormity redefines sales as we know them. This is the event that garage and rummage sales across the nation aspire to be. This event is the first ever “Coldwell Banker Spectacularly Ginormous Warehouse Sale.”

The warehouse sale is only one step of many to help raise money to aid cancer research and bring home a cure. All 46 volunteer members of the Coldwell Banker team have been touched either directly or indirectly by cancer. Some have lost loved ones, others have survived, while others continue to fight. It's hope that keeps these volunteers coming back each year and hope that helps them find creative ways to raise money.

Be sure to stop by Coldwell Bankers booth at Relay for Life and check out their NASCAR inspired theme of “Racing to a Cure.” Take a load off and sit on the boulders in the shade provided by the 100 year old, 25’ tall oak tree donated by Scott Doolittle of Scott’s Tree and Landscaping Service. Someone will find themselves the lucky winner of not only the oak tree, but the boulders and installation as well. Other items being raffled off include NASCAR blankets, gift baskets, autographed footballs donated by David Carr and a very special item donated by Kevin Harvick.

Coldwell Banker is one team of many participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Every person involved in Relay does it because of hope. The definition of hope is “to desire with the expectation of obtainment.” Nobody involved believes that cancer can’t be beat. To each and every person it touches, it fundamentally changes their outlook regardless of the outcome. One voice can sometimes get lost, but when there are hundreds of thousands of people all over the world praying and fighting and hoping, then there is no doubt, cancer will be beat.

The “Spectacularly Ginormouse Warehouse Sale” will be taking place on Saturday, April 14^th from at 7:30am – 2:00pm. It is being held inside the old Costco Building located on Gilmore Avenue just North of the Crystal Palace. For more information, call: Pam 832-2698, Donna 616-3600, Lee 717-9291 or Katrina 334-4011.