lazarex new logo 03-09
               It's About Life

  

 May/June 2012 Newsletter 

Current Stories
Very Important Patient: Glenn's Story
New Ways to Support Lazarex: Celebrity Party & Poker Update; Save the Date! September 29th for the Lazarex Gala "Battle for a Lifetime" aboard the USS Hornet; Hike the Grand Canyon with Lazarex, Informational Meetings in May
Introducing Cynthia Sandoval, Division Manager, Team for Life
The Lazarex Legacy Program
Team for Life Endurance Events - the Golden Gate Triathlon, the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon, Bibs Available!

Dear Friends,

 

I know that you know Lazarex does important work, but from time to time I think it is important to share the scope of what we do so that all our friends can appreciate our collective contributions. As spring dawned last month we passed an important milestone - we have given over $3 million to late stage cancer patients seeking  life through clinical trial participation. To put it another way, your support has added 118 years (and counting!) to the lives of over 106 patients to whom we provided direct financial aid for clinical trial participation and patient advocacy for more than 1,940 patients. Your generosity has made possible nearly 43,000 extra sunrises, more than 5,000 additional Sunday dinners, and countless smiles and tears of joy to our patients and their families. We are truly grateful to be in the business of providing time, hope and life!      

 

April 17th marked the 5th year anniversary of the day Lazarex Cancer Foundation received its first request for patient assistance with a clinical trial. The patient was Ian, a teenager in eighth grade who had a very aggressive recurrence of osteosarcoma. He was our patient for 9 months. Ian continues to be a source of inspiration for Lazarex, giving us the courage and strength to do what it takes to fulfill our goals.    

 

Speaking of gratitude, I want to thank the Round Hill Country Club and the many vendors who made our first winter shopping extravaganza such a success. We look forward to doing it again next year. We also held a thank you event for 40+ volunteers who help out at our events, provide office support and take care of all the details our small staff could not possibly cover on its own. The hours our volunteers have contributed provided us with over $1 million in real value and immeasurable love from their hearts.  

 

Please take a moment to reflect on all the goodness you help make possible through Lazarex. After all, it's about life!

 

Sincerely,

Dana's sig

 

 

 

 

Dana Dornsife
President, Lazarex Cancer Foundation

  Very Important Patient (VIP): Glenn B.  

 

Glenn and his wife Datha live near Phoenix, AZ. In 2010 Glenn was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the smooth muscle cells. In late 2011 he was accepted into a clinical trial in Santa Monica, CA.

 Glenn & Datha B.

Glenn's Story 

 In 2008, Glenn began having pain in his left thigh and calf. He spent the next 2 years consulting several different specialists until the last specialist, a vascular surgeon, diagnosed him Venous Reflux Disease in his legs. In 2010 a procedure was performed to collapse a superficial vein in his calf to stop the pain, but the pain still remained. An MRI revealed a tumor (larger than a tennis ball) in his left thigh that was wrapped around an artery, vein and nerve. 

 

Surgery was scheduled a few weeks later. The tumor was removed and a resection done on the artery and vein that was severed by the operation. Glenn remarked, "Thank God the nerve that was severed only caused some nerve damage with minor discomfort and did not affect my ability to walk." The surgeons took a sample of the tumor and initially did not find any cancer. A few weeks later the lab results confirmed a diagnosis of Leiomyosarcoma.

 

Sixty six days of radiation were successful in removing the cancer in Glenn's left thigh. Unfortunately, the cancer metastasized into the blood stream and several nodules were found in his lungs and liver. In the meantime Glenn's job ended shortly after surgery when his company lost a contract. His wife Datha was also unemployed. With only some savings and retirement benefits, they were barely able to hang on financially.

 

Chemotherapy was next. After 5 different chemotherapy treatments over a year and half, none were able to stop the nodules from growing. Glenn says his faith in God is what kept him going. They looked for clinical trials in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, they live near Phoenix, but due to the rare form of cancer, none were available.

 

In the fall of 2011 Glenn was referred to a doctor in Santa Monica, CA and was accepted into a clinical trial. However, it required them fly to Los Angeles every 21 days for over 7 months which put even a larger burden on their finances. The clinic referred them to Lazarex Cancer Foundation for financial assistance during the clinical trial treatments.

 

Datha said "I will never forget the day I contacted Lazarex Cancer Foundation. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, they showed a deep concern and compassion for our immediate health and financial circumstances. They took our information and started the procedure to give us travel assistance. I was overwhelmed with joy. My tears were from stress relief, hope, and amazement in the "just in time" support. I felt like someone just covered me with a warm baby blanket and the brick wall was no longer standing."

 

Glenn added that it was a real blessing when he learned that the foundation approved travel assistance between AZ and CA for his trial. Treatment started in September 2011 and, after receiving 7 months of treatment, there is no new growth and the larger nodules are shrinking.

 

Glenn stated "I don't know what the next steps look like as we continue down this road, but I thank God for the positive treatment of the cancer and Lazarex Cancer Foundation for providing the means to afford the treatment. The foundation has provided amazing support in the midst of a very stressful time and not just financially."

 
 
Patients like this month's VIP, Glenn, are benefiting from support like this every day. Please help us by  who you think would be interested in Lazarex.

New and Fun Ways to Support Lazarex 

 
Champions Pa
rty and Poker Night a Royal Flush!

 Champions Party 2012


Held in partnership with the TCP Stonebrae Championship, The PGA Nationwide Tour and presented by CBS Outdoor, the Champions Party and Poker N
ight was a high energy - high profile evening of generosity, great food, great music, fashion, and the graces of Lady Luck with our patient program services as the lucky beneficiary! Special guests Jerry Rice, Steve Elkington, Dave Casper and Phil Hellmuth could not have been more gracious meeting folks and spending time with us. Congratulations to grand prize winner Patrick Burns, who not only earned a seat at the upcoming World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, he also earned the bragging rights to say he beat Phil Hellmuth at Texas Hold 'Em! We look forward to anteing up again next year.
    
 

Save the Date: September 29, 2012  -   

You Won't Want to Miss This Gala!  

 

 

Gala 2012 Save the Date  

Ahoy, mates! Join us on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, a national historic landmark based in Alameda, CA on September 29th from 6 p.m. to midnight for this year's gala entitled Battle for a Lifetime. Hear 95-year-old guest speaker Louis Zamperini, subject of the book Unbroken, a World War II prisoner of war, motivational speaker and former American Olympian. According to a profile on Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel radio program, Zamperini climbed a flag pole during the 1936 Olympic games and stole the personal flag of Adolf Hitler.

 

Besides Zamperini, all guests will enjoy a welcome with a military escort by the Side Boys, patriotic tunes from the USS Hornet Band and the1940's swing style harmonies of the Swinging Blue Stars while cocktails and appetizers are served. After a delicious dinner, the old school funk band JamFunkShus will get you up on your feet. There will be casino games, a photo booth and more for your amusement. Dress is cocktail attire.

 

For $350 per person you can help give the gift of hope and life and have great fun at the same time. Hope to see you see you aboard! For Tickets or if you are interested in being a Sponsor for this event contact Susan Sappington at 925.309.8661 or [email protected]. Event information is available at www.lazarex.org.  

    

Hike for Life/Conquer the Canyon  

 

Learn more about this Grand Canyon Adventure at an informational meeting: Monday, May 7th, 7pm at the Lazarex Office, 50 Oak Court, Suite 200, Danville, CA or Monday, May 21st, 7pm at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA. RSVP to Karen Leffler by email [email protected] or phone at 925.323.2996.    

   

Hike for Life 2012 postcard

 

Lazarex Cancer Foundation and Conquer The Canyon� have joined forces to bring you Hike for Life, a special 3-night/4-day fundraising adventure at one of the "Grandest" natural wonders of the world - The Grand Canyon! Participants enjoy a one day hike on the trail they choose that best suits their abilities. Includes all travel except airfare.   

 

September 21-24, 2012, Hike Day is September 23rd. 

 

Come Hike With Us!!  

           

For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/hikeforlife, listen to the prerecorded Informational Call or view the Hike for Life video.         

Introducing Cynthia Sandoval   

 

Cynthia Sandoval recently joined Lazarex as the Division Manger for Team for Life (our fundraising endurance division). Imagine a hummingbird and you'll have a pretty good idea of Cynthia in action.  

 Cynthia Sandoval headshot

She has helped to coordinate every type of event imaginable and takes pride in being the "Go-to-Gal" for an array of both large corporations and smaller local businesses. Luckily for Lazarex, her specialty and passion is Charity Events. For more than five years she has worked alongside Mr. Steve Haworth of Charity Auction Fundraising, LLC, conducting live auctions for hundreds of nonprofits, speaking to over 20,000 high net-worth individuals, working at the largest and most famous venues of the San Francisco Bay Area, helping to raise over $10 million for the various causes. In doing so, Cynthia has built strong working relationships with a long list of connections which will greatly benefit our fundraising strategies.

 

Cynthia has been a "pleasure runner" for as long as she has been able to run, and in 2011 ran her first half-marathon. After that she became "addicted."  She feels very blessed for the opportunity to combine her event planning skills with her addiction to running, her fundraising experience, her many connections, and her love for people...all for a fabulous cause! Cynthia lost both her paternal Grandparents to cancer, and is honored to be a part of a cancer-fighting Team for Life.

In addition to everything else Cynthia does, she is also a singer-songwriter, and spends her free time as a "Wannabe Rock Star!! Contact Cynthia by email at [email protected] or phone at 925.309.8664.
The Lazarex Legacy Program
  

Life insurance can be a simple and flexible approach to making a significant contribution to Lazarex Cancer Foundation (Lazarex). Not only does it allow you to make a substantial donation to Lazarex at no cost to you, but you may also benefit from tax rules that apply to gifts of life insurance.

  • You can make Lazarex the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy
  • You can assign Lazarex as the owner and beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy
  • You can purchase a new policy and make Lazarex the owner and  beneficiary
A gift of life insurance can enable you to make a much greater gift and a much greater difference than may have been possible during your lifetime.

For more information about how
to leave a legacy to Lazarex Cancer Foundation, contact Brendan Noonan, Program Facilitator, at (925) 984-4574 or [email protected].  
Noonan Financial logo
    new TFl logoTeam for Life Events -
Join Us, Donate, Have Fun!  

  

Joining Team for Life gives you the chance to directly support Lazarex Cancer Foundation by participating in any endurance event where Lazarex has an official team OR by creating your

own fundraising event.

    

To sign up: www.teamforlifelcf.org

 

 

Golden Gate TriathlonGolden Gate Tri-Freaks

Bibs are available! Lazarex is the only official charity for this event!  Join and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge!    

 

When: Sunday, June 24, 2012

Where: San Francisco, CA

 

A world class triathlon has come to San Francisco.This event features a beautiful swim along the coast of Crissy Field, an epic looped course through-out the Presidio capped off by a stunning out and back run across the Golden Gate Bridge!      

 

To register contact Team for Life  or go to: TFL Golden Gate Triathlon  

   

 

Disneyland 1/2 Marathon logo

Disneyland 1/2 Marathon 

Sold Out but Team for Life has Bibs!   

 

When: September 2, 2012 

Where: Anaheim, CA 

 

Contact Team for Life to reserve your spot today or go to: Disneyland 1/2 Marathon 2012    

 

 Marine Corps marathon 2012

 Marine Corps Marathon 

Sold Out but Team for Life has Bibs!  

 

When: October 28, 2012 

Where: Washington DC  

 

Contact Team for Life to reserve your spot today or go to: Marine Corps Marathon 2012
About Lazarex Cancer Foundation 
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 build a bridge to hope. To learn more, please contact us at 925.820.4517, toll-free at 877.866.9523, or visit us at www.lazarex.org.

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn Find us on Pinterest View our videos on YouTube View our photos on flickr Visit our blog 
 
Please help us spread the word by  (or many!) who you think would be interested in Lazarex Cancer Foundation or one of our many events. Thanks!