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Dear Friend,
Despite the challenging economic times we face, supporters of Lazarex Cancer Foundation truly stepped up to the plate in 2009. They helped us raise more than $1 million, allowing us to increase our operating budget by 25 percent to help answer the ever-increasing demand for patient support as the word about the work we do continues to spread.
That increased patient demand is both an endorsement of our contribution towards the fight against cancer and a call to action to continue the hard work of raising money. Towards that end, 2010 is off to a terrific start. Our "Team for Life" participants grossed $55,000 in the Walt Disney World Marathon and our "Hit a Homerun for Hope" Camarillo Pony Baseball Clinic raised $5,500. Just as important, those who trained for and participated in the marathon improved their fitness, and the kids who participated in the baseball clinic kept busy, learned some valuable skills for the coming season and had fun!
We have two fundraising events in the coming months under the capable direction of our Director of Development, Susan Sappington. Whether you are a runner, a golfer, like to party with former major league baseball players, or just want to contribute to the fighting of deadly diseases, we have programs for you.
Our VIP (Very Important Patient) this month is Scott Zenaro. Scott is battling Ewing's sarcoma and through the help Lazarex was able to provide has seen significant shrinkage in his tumors. We think you will be inspired by his story.
If you're interested in supporting Lazarex with a financial donation, or if you have a fundraising idea, send Susan an email.
Join us and help change the face of cancer.
Sincerely,
Dana Dornsife
President, Lazarex Cancer Foundation |
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Donate to Lazarex and Have Fun!
"Hope Starts Here" Fundraising Dinner & Golf Tournament with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
When: Sunday and Monday, May 16 & 17, 2010
Where: Green Valley Country Club, 35 Country Club Dr., Fairfield, CA 94534
Lazarex Cancer Foundation and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association "Team Up" for a Celebrity Dinner and Golf Tournament. Proceeds benefit Lazarex Cancer Foundation and help offer hope, dignity and life to cancer patients by providing financial assistance to defray the costs associated with patient participation in FDA clinical trials. Additionally, we help patients navigate their clinical trial options and provide community education and outreach services.
The dinner will be held Sunday evening beginning with a Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction at 5:30 p.m. There will be opportunities for autographs and photographs with MLB Alumni during the reception. The dinner and program begin at 7:00 p.m.; with a live auction at 8:30 p.m.; followed by live music with SF Bay Area's dance band "Artisan". Prizes will include authentic autographed baseball memorabilia.
The golf tournament will take place on Monday, May 17. Each foursome will include a former major league baseball player.
Deadline for registration is April 30.
Registration and event forms can be downloaded here: FORMS
The celebrity reception and dinner is $180 per person which includes appetizers, dinner, beer, wine, champagne and music.
Entry in the golf tournament is $250 per player and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and awards dinner
For more information, please contact our Tournament Staff:
Cherie McCammon - LPGA Tournament Director
Mc2Golf Pro, Inc
960 Grant Street, STE A Benicia, CA 94510
510-599-2714 Cell
cherie@mc2golfpro.com
www.mc2golfpro.com Susan Sappington - Director of Development
Lazarex Cancer Foundation
P.O. Box 741, Danville, CA 94526
510-757-5034
susan@lazarex.org
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Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon &�
Where: Seattle, WA
When: June 26, 2010
What: A chance to sponsor our team as they run for a better opportunity for our patients and their families. Please help us fulfill our mission of providing resources for cancer patients who have been told they have no other options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life and refuse to give up. Online registration closes on June 18, 2010. Visit this link Rock 'n' Roll Seattle to register, for more information and to support our runners, or go to www.lazarex.org.
Mark Your Calendar for Other 2010 Fundraising Events
Sep. 19 Philadelphia Half Marathon
Oct. 3 San Jose Half Marathon
Stay tuned...more to come! |
Meet
New Board Member Kip Yaughn
Former professional baseball player Kip Yaughn became a Lazarex board member in January 2010. A chance meeting at a mutual friend's home brought Kip and his wife Cristina together with Lazarex's Director of Development, Susan Sappington. Cristina is an Oncology nurse at John Muir and Kip has had a family experience with cancer so there was a lot to talk about. Kip has been a strong advocate for Lazarex Cancer Foundation ever since. He played professional baseball for seven years before retiring from the San Diego Padres in 1995 and becoming a Compliance Inspector with PG&E. He enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with his family in Concord, CA.
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Very Important Patient (VIP)
Scott Zenaro has received the gift of life two years and counting
Scott with Lazarex Director of Development Susan Sappington and President Dana Dornsife
In Scott's own words:
In 2004 when I was 30 years old, I was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer called Ewing's sarcoma. Since that time, I've undergone four operations, 18 months of chemotherapy and 70 days of radiation. My body simply couldn't seem to rid itself of this aggressive metastatic disease.
At the start of 2008, Ewing's had once again reoccurred in both of my lungs. As the disease had not responded to previous chemotherapy treatments, my survival depended upon alternative methods. My oncologist, Dr. David Christian Harmon from Massachusetts General Hospital in Cambridge, referred me to Dr. Sant Chawla, an oncologist in Santa Monica, California.
Dr. Chawla and his staff were experimenting with an antibody drug in clinical trial that, unlike chemotherapy, has limited to virtually no side effects. This all was quite shocking to me and my family, and it also surprised us that this new treatment option was available to only a handful of fortunate people. It was decided that my brother-in-law and I would travel to California to learn more about this experimental drug. I had no choice but to place my life in the hands of Dr. Chawla and pray to God that this treatment would save my life.
Before receiving treatment, my initial problem was figuring out how to relocate to California to be near Dr. Chawla's Sarcoma Oncology Center. As I am on a fixed income, it was financially impossible for me to afford this costly, temporary move. The next problem was how a man on a fixed income could live in one of the most expensive cities in the United States. As fate would have it, Dr. Chawla gave us the name of Lazarex Cancer Foundation, a foundation that assists people who cannot afford to receive treatment.
After my brother-in-law spoke with Dana Dornsife, the Foundation's president, and told her about my health and financial condition, she called me the next day with the news that Lazarex would cover all my living expenses, allowing me to receive the life saving treatment. I was completely and utterly shocked that something positive was happening in my life. I was speechless. Lazarex provided the miracle that I so desperately needed at this point in my life.
My family and I are grateful to have such wonderful people like Dana and all the people at Lazarex in our lives. I extend my utmost appreciation to Lazarex Cancer Foundation and my prayers go out to those who may someday be as fortunate as me and my family to be given this chance of a lifetime.
Note: In February 2008 Lazarex took on Scott's case. In March of 2008, Scott's scan showed that his tumors had decreased by half since beginning treatment just a few weeks prior. Update (as of January 2010): Scott stopped responding to the antibody drug. In autumn 2009 he began receiving a new clinical trial treatment and has been responding well.
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Check Out Our New Online Store!
Lazarex On Line StoreLazarex now has an online merchandise store where you can shop and a percentage of your purchase benefits Lazarex Cancer Foundation. Customized sportswear, casual apparel, and household items are available for the Lazarex event of your choice. All "Team for Life" events are available. Shopping is easy and secure. Shop Now! or go to the Lazarex website www.lazarex.org | |
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About Lazarex Cancer Foundation
Our Mission: We provide resources for cancer patients who have been told they have no other options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life and refuse to give up now.
Lazarex Cancer Foundation builds a bridge to hope, dignity and life for cancer patients and their families. We provide financial assistance to defray the costs associated with patient participation in FDA clinical trials. Additionally, we help patients navigate their clinical trial options and provide community education and outreach services. We believe that together we can change the face of cancer. To learn more, please contact us at 925.820.4517, toll-free at 877.866.9523, or visit us at www.lazarex.org.
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