WALKING TOWARD A CURE; TEAMS FORMING FOR RELAY.Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff Writer By the time Patti Sloneker found out two years ago that she had ovarian cancer ovarian cancer Malignant tumour of the ovaries. Risk factors include early age of first menstruation (before age 12), late onset of menopause (after age 52), absence of pregnancy, presence of specific genetic mutations, use of fertility drugs, and personal history of breast , it was so advanced it had traveled to her lungs. She was hospitalized with a prognosis of three days to live. But after being put on a respirator respirator /res·pi·ra·tor/ (res´pi-ra?ter) ventilator (2). cuirass respirator see under ventilator. , undergoing a major surgery and then pairing weeks of chemotherapy with a new treatment, the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. resident was able to call herself a survivor. Sloneker, along with many other 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 , will be among hundreds who will don their tennis shoes tennis shoes npl → zapatillas fpl de tenis tennis shoes npl → (chaussures fpl de) tennis mpl tennis shoes tennis this weekend and hit local high school tracks to walk for 24 hours Adv. 1. for 24 hours - without stopping; "she worked around the clock" around the clock, round the clock to raise money for cancer research. The round-the-clock event, called Relay For Life Relay For Life (often shortened to Relay) is a fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and is now held in many other countries. It is an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebrate survivorship and raise money , will be held on Saturday at Royal High School in Simi Valley and at Newbury Park High School in Newbury Park. ``The first lap of the relay is for survivors, and I happen to be a survivor,'' said Mary Salvas, a 64-year-old Simi Valley resident who had breast cancer. ``There is such warmth and love on the track. The camaraderie is so wonderful and uplifting.'' Dozens of teams, each with at least 10 people, will have at least one member of their group on the track at all times during the 24-hour period. The event is sponsored by local chapters of 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, . Last year, 81 teams in Oxnard, Newbury Park and Simi Valley raised $154,000. Ruth Ogden, co-chairwoman of the Newbury Park event, said the community has been overwhelmingly supportive. ``It fills me with joy and awe that so many people in our community would do so much to find a cure for cancer,'' Ogden said. Ogden, 59, of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , had breast cancer which was detected early enough that she didn't need to undergo chemotherapy or radiation. ``I'm so happy that I did so well, that it has been my pleasure to give back to the community and share my experiences,'' Ogden said. Early detection, she said, is the best defense against cancer. Free information about cancer will be available at both relay events. Free and low-cost mammography mammography, diagnostic procedure that uses low-dose X rays to detect abnormalities in the breasts. The early diagnosis of breast cancer made possible by the routine use of mammography for screening women increases a woman's treatment alternatives and improves her screenings also will be provided for eligible women during the relay at Newbury Park High School. Another highlight at both relays will be the luminary ceremonies held on Saturday evening. It is a way for friends and relatives to pay tribute to people who have battled cancers. The lighted candles, in weighted bags, can be purchased and will line the track in honor of someone who has survived cancer, or in memory of someone who has not. ``What we are striving for each year is to honor people because they survive and fewer honored only in memory,'' Ogden said. Sloneker, 52, said she would not have survived cancer had it not been for events that raise money for research. Standard tests don't catch ovarian cancer like hers, she said, and for months she had been going to specialists for what she thought were stomach problems. Once diagnosed, she underwent treatment - new at the time - which involved draining her bone marrow and receiving high doses of chemotherapy, she said. ``I am so thankful that people give to research,'' Sloneker said. ``It's given me an extra two years and allows me to see a new grandson be born.'' Unfortunately, she found out in July that the cancer came back, but she is determined to beat it again. RELAY FOR LIFE Round-the-clock event to raise money for cancer research Ten a.m. Royal High School in Simi Valley Noon Newbury Park High School in Newbury Park For information, call Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by Relay, (805) 497-0114; Simi Valley Relay, (805) 527-5360. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Patti Sloneker, who has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time, will be among those participating in this weekend's fund-raising event, Relay for Life. (2) Hundreds will be walking the tracks this weekend at Royal and Newbury Park high schools to raise money for cancer research. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News Box: Relay for life (see text) |
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