Why I am involved with Lazarex
by Linda Quintero
Being diagnosed with cancer is a life changing experience in so many ways.
It made spending time with my then 19 year old son a priority to me so I took him to Disneyland on his birthday. Little did I know it was the day of the Disney Half Marathon! When I saw those medals around the necks of so many people, I thought to myself “How can I get one of those awesome medals?” I asked and was told I would have to participate in the Disney Half Marathon. I had never run before and didn’t even quite know the distance of a half marathon but I was determined to do this.
That is when I found out about the Lazarex Cancer Foundation and their “Team for Life” and that I could be a part of it. I hadn’t heard of Lazarex Cancer Foundation before and having had a lot of experience in fundraising and donating to many causes & charities, I wanted to know who they were and what they were all about before I joined this team.
I did my research and was amazed at what I found out. Seeing what they were all about, seeing how much money went directly to the patients and how much went to operations, I knew I wanted to be a part of this. I felt really good about Lazarex Cancer Foundation and knew my family and friends I would ask to help me would feel good too!
Another factor that played into this was that I had just lost my 55 year old aunt to cancer just days before I joined this team. I had the privilege of being with her in her last days and hours of her life. I vividly remember when she was sent home being told she had no other options. I got to see first hand a person who was not ready to die go through her final stage with no hope. I remember her saying “if I could just have 3 more years, just a little more time” because the son she left behind was 15. She was one of those who were told she had no other options.
I thought I would just run this event, cross the finish line and it would be over. I have since run many other half marathons and I am training for my first full marathon!
If I can help someone have just another day, give them some hope, I want to do it and that is what motivates me to be a part of Lazarex Cancer Foundation.
Linda Quintero
Team for Life Member, Volunteer & 6 year cancer survivor
Linda Quintero lives in Oxnard, CA with her husband Cornell and sons, Steven & Eric.
Linda has completed 3 half marathons as a Team for Life member; most recently as Team Leader for The Honey Badgers in the 2012 Tinker Bell ½ Marathon. She is looking forward to the Disneyland ½ Marathon in September. Linda is a Realtor with Cobalt Realty Group in Camarillo, CA.
About Lazarex: www.lazarex.org
Lazarex gives hope and life to end stage cancer patients with all forms of cancer by bridging a gap in cancer care. We help navigate clinical trial options and provide financial assistance so patients can take advantage of medical breakthroughs in clinical trials today because they may not have a tomorrow. Our mission is to provide resources for cancer patients who’ve been told they have no other options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life and refuse to give up now.
Have questions or need support?
Lazarex Cancer Foundation
PO Box 741 | Danville, CA | 94526
toll free 877-866-9523 | office 925-820-4517 | fax 925-552-7305
Lazarex | Team For Life | Blog | Life Through Music
by Linda Quintero
Read what motivates Linda: Linda’s Story
Being diagnosed with cancer is a life changing experience in so many ways.It made spending time with my then 19 year old son a priority to me so I took him to Disneyland on his birthday. Little did I know it was the day of the Disney Half Marathon! When I saw those medals around the necks of so many people, I thought to myself “How can I get one of those awesome medals?” I asked and was told I would have to participate in the Disney Half Marathon. I had never run before and didn’t even quite know the distance of a half marathon but I was determined to do this.
That is when I found out about the Lazarex Cancer Foundation and their “Team for Life” and that I could be a part of it. I hadn’t heard of Lazarex Cancer Foundation before and having had a lot of experience in fundraising and donating to many causes & charities, I wanted to know who they were and what they were all about before I joined this team.
I did my research and was amazed at what I found out. Seeing what they were all about, seeing how much money went directly to the patients and how much went to operations, I knew I wanted to be a part of this. I felt really good about Lazarex Cancer Foundation and knew my family and friends I would ask to help me would feel good too!
Another factor that played into this was that I had just lost my 55 year old aunt to cancer just days before I joined this team. I had the privilege of being with her in her last days and hours of her life. I vividly remember when she was sent home being told she had no other options. I got to see first hand a person who was not ready to die go through her final stage with no hope. I remember her saying “if I could just have 3 more years, just a little more time” because the son she left behind was 15. She was one of those who were told she had no other options.
I thought I would just run this event, cross the finish line and it would be over. I have since run many other half marathons and I am training for my first full marathon!
If I can help someone have just another day, give them some hope, I want to do it and that is what motivates me to be a part of Lazarex Cancer Foundation.
Linda Quintero
Team for Life Member, Volunteer & 6 year cancer survivor
Linda Quintero lives in Oxnard, CA with her husband Cornell and sons, Steven & Eric.
Linda has completed 3 half marathons as a Team for Life member; most recently as Team Leader for The Honey Badgers in the 2012 Tinker Bell ½ Marathon. She is looking forward to the Disneyland ½ Marathon in September. Linda is a Realtor with Cobalt Realty Group in Camarillo, CA.
About Lazarex: www.lazarex.org
Lazarex gives hope and life to end stage cancer patients with all forms of cancer by bridging a gap in cancer care. We help navigate clinical trial options and provide financial assistance so patients can take advantage of medical breakthroughs in clinical trials today because they may not have a tomorrow. Our mission is to provide resources for cancer patients who’ve been told they have no other options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life and refuse to give up now.
Have questions or need support?
Lazarex Cancer Foundation
PO Box 741 | Danville, CA | 94526
toll free 877-866-9523 | office 925-820-4517 | fax 925-552-7305
Lazarex | Team For Life | Blog | Life Through Music
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