2012 Lazarex Gala - "Battle for a Lifetime"

JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER, GIVE THE GIFTS OF HOPE AND LIFE!

JOIN US on September 29, 2012 at 6:00 pm aboard the historic aircraft carrier, USS Hornet, a national historic landmark based in Alameda, CA. It’s played a major role in naval aviation, the defense of our country, the Apollo Program and the exploration of space.

• Tickets are $350 per person
• Cocktail Attire
• For Tickets, Sponsor and Event Information go to the Battle for a Lifetime Gala website: https://lazarex.ejoinme.org/USSHornetGala

THE GALA FESTIVITIES:

FLY HIGH

Take flight from the deck of the USS Hornet in an authentic Huey helicopter that flew missions over Viet Nam. This is a fundraising adventure, space is limited and you must register for this event.

GUEST SPEAKER

“Hope is the power of the soul to endure” ~ Louis Zamperini
Louis Zamperini is a World War II prisoner of war survivor, inspirational speaker and former American Olympic distance runner. He is also an author and subject of the New York Times bestseller, “Unbroken”.

GET NOSTALGIC

Enjoy an all aboard welcome with a military escort by the Side Boys, patriotic tunes from the USS Hornet Band and listen to the “swing style” harmony of the Swinging Blue Stars.

RELIVE THE TRIUMPH

Take a guided tour through the USS Hornet, visit the Flight Deck, Captain’s Bridge or Engine Room. Visit the Apollo 11 space capsule recovered by the USS Hornet or “take off” on the flight simulator.

LIVE AUCTIONS

There will be some pretty tempting Live Auction packages so check the gala website often to see what might appeal to you! Steve Haworth of Charity Auction Fundraising LLC will entertain you with his wit and auctioneering skills. It is futile to resist him.

WINE, DINE, PARTY

Drinks and food are provided. Melons Catering and Event Planning of San Francisco will prepare the delicious repast for this event. Dance with the Bay Area old school funk band "JamFunkShus", play casino games, uncover your alter ego in our photo booth and more...

For Tickets, Sponsor and Event Information go to the Battle for a Lifetime Gala website: https://lazarex.ejoinme.org/USSHornetGala

Questions? Call Lazarex Cancer Foundation at 925.820.4517

Lazarex.org | TeamForLifeLCF.org | Lazarex.org/blog

Glenn's Story - Leiomyosarcoma Patient

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'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."
Read about some of our other VIPs
Patients like this month's VIP, Glenn, are benefiting from support like this every day. Please help us by sending this email to friends who you think would be interested in Lazarex.

Lazarex Cancer Foundation has bibs for Marine Corps Marathon

Giving hope and life for cancer patients and their families is the goal of Lazarex Cancer Foundation. The foundation extends its generosity to patients who are in need of financial assistance and help them lower the costs of participating in FDA clinical trials. These clinical trial options help cancer  patients experience the medical breakthroughs of today in hopes of getting rid of their illnesses or at least extending life. Lazarex believes that the size of a patient's checkbook should not stand between them and the choices they make or the treatments they need.
Lazarex Cancer Foundation has witnessed a number of success stories from their patients suffering from cancer. Through providing clinical options for the cancer patients, they were able to supply a better life. Patients are able to spend more time with their families and even be freed from their sickness. With the help of donations the foundation has received, they have continuously been able to strengthen their patient’s spirits and guide them through their battle.
Through the donations the foundation receives they fund all of their program services and create a better way of life. They acquire these through the various fund raising events or through people who givedonationsto them directly. Lazarex knows they cannot do it alone. The success they acquired is achieved through people who wish to extend a helping hand so Lazarex can fulfill their goals. This means that you can also help in creating a better future for cancer patients and their families.
Start helping out and empowering these patients by signing up for the Marine Corps Marathon throughTeam for Life to raise funds for Lazarex Cancer Foundation. Team for Life is a fundraising program which allows people to support Lazarex through endurance events where Lazarex is an approved charity OR through events created by an individual. Being able to run for a charity is a fulfilling experience. This event will begin on October 28, 2012. The event will start at Arlington, VA. At some point in time, you might have met someone who is battling cancer whether it may be your family member, a friend, or your friend’s friend. Join the Marine Corps Marathon to run for charity and add more days to their life.
All proceeds fund the endeavors of the foundation to assist those with end stagecancer. Each participant has the ability to help a cancer patient in a better manner by helping them participate in clinical trial treatments. With joining Team for Life through the Marine Corps Marathon, you are not only keeping yourself healthy, but also extending a helping hand to those who need your help.
Team for Life offers incentives for achieving a certain fundraising levels. Like for those raising $2500-$3999, you will be able to acquire a Malibu Unisex Rubber Sport Watch with a Turquoise band. Aside from the material incentives that you will receive from the event, the satisfaction of knowing that you have saved a life is a great experience. This simple step can create a huge impact on another person’s life. You will actually have the opportunity to meet the person you helped at the pasta party after event.
Begin helping these patients now and sign up for this event. You will never know how many lives you will be able to save by simply clicking on the register button at www.teamforlifelcf.org

Message from founder - Lazarex Cancer Foundation

Dear Friend,

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 Dornsife
President, Lazarex Cancer Foundation