SCV CANCER SURVIVOR GOING ON RIDE OF LIFE 'BREAKAWAY MILE' TO HELP IN RESEARCH, AWARENESS.Byline: SHARON COTAL COTAL Confederación de Los Organismos Turisticos Para America Latina (Spanish: Confederation of Latin American Tourism Organizations) Staff Writer For Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, resident Heather Warrick, the most inspirational part of today's Amgen Tour of California The Amgen Tour of California is a professional cycling stage race on the UCI America Tour and USA Cycling Professional Tour that made its debut on February 19, 2006. Sponsored by the biotechnology company Amgen, the eight-day race covers between 650-700 miles (1,045 - 1,126 km). as it passes through the area just may be the last mile. The 37-year-old cancer survivor will ride in a "Breakaway Mile" organized by Amgen to raise awareness in the fight against cancer and scientific advances that have led to new treatments. Cancer survivors Cancer survivors are those individuals with cancer of any type, current or past, who are still living. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) pioneered the definition of survivor as from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life, a person diagnosed with , caregivers, family members, health care professionals and an Amgen scientist will make up the 12-member Breakaway Mile team, riding the last mile together. Warrick, who is currently living with stage-four cancer, will ride in tandem with Amgen scientist Joe Miletich. "I'm so excited to be a part of something so impactful on the community for cancer awareness," Warrick said. "I think it will be great to ride with my fellow survivors. We're like a tight family up here." Warrick's brother, Scott Clelland, also will ride alongside his sister as one of her supporters and caregivers. Warrick was chosen for the Breakaway Mile by Donna Ashmore, an oncology nurse oncology nurse Nursing A nurse specialized in treating and caring for people with cancer Salary $53K + 2% bonus. See Oncology. at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Cancer Center in Valencia. Ashmore met Warrick through the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, about a decade ago and the two became friends. "She's just phenomenal," Ashmore said of Warrick. "She's been a survivor since she was 24 and she gives other survivors inspiration and hope. Her outlook is just amazing." Warrick thinks her tale of doing well despite seven recurrences of cancer over the years may give others hope. "My story shows that cancer is becoming more of a chronic disease than a deadly one. With all the great research and new discoveries in cancer -- we have better medications, better techniques in treating the disease -- more people are surviving," she said. There is no cure for stage-four cancer, so Warrick will always be in some form of treatment for the rest of her life. Warrick, who works for the American Cancer Society, is also an inspirational speaker and shares her experience of living with cancer through humorous stories and a message of choosing hope over hopelessness. "It's just so much easier for me to think positively," she said. "I can't just sit here and let (cancer) get the best of me. I can't let it overpower o·ver·pow·er tr.v. o·ver·pow·ered, o·ver·pow·er·ing, o·ver·pow·ers 1. To overcome or vanquish by superior force; subdue. 2. To affect so strongly as to make helpless or ineffective; overwhelm. 3. me and let it get in the way of my goals." sharon.cotal@dailynews.com (661) 257-5256 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Heather Warrick, who has had numerous recurrences of cancer, will be riding today in the "Breakaway Mile" of the Amgen Tour of California. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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