Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Cancer survivors march at BHS field to raise research funds

Duane Barbati News-Bulletin Staff Writer; dbarbati@news-bulletin.com

Belen The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Belen fundraiser was more than raising money for a good cause. It was about hope, faith, survival and courage to fight a disease that affects more than a million people, including 7, 858 in New Mexico, each year.

The event, which was held at the Belen High School baseball field on Friday, raised more than $10,000 for research and cancer patient assistance.

Relay for Life committee chairperson Jude Quintana said she estimated about 200 people participated in the fundraiser.

" I do it for cancer awareness and to raise money for research," Quintana said. "Who doesn't know somebody who has cancer? No one is immune to cancer. Everybody knows somebody with cancer."

The fundraiser started at 6 p.m. on Friday and ended at 8 a.m. on Saturday with participants walking a circled course marked off by flags and luminarias.

"My passion for raising money for cancer research is to help survivors and support families with education," Quintana said. "There is always hope. Those of us that don't have cancer have to join the fight for research and medications."

She said she believes the fight never stops for cancer research and support for survivors of cancer.

Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres helped fellow cancer survivors Renee Hamilton and Betty Chavez walk the inaugural lap around the perimeter of the baseball field.

Torres said his prostate cancer was detected early and treated before it spread.

"It's always a good idea to get checked because it can save your life," he said.

Hamilton said she was detected with Burkitt's lymphoma as a senior at Infinity High School last year.

"They detected it through a CT scan and ultrasound," she said. "They treated it with surgery and chemotherapy. I got a lot of support from my family, friends and everybody in the community."

She said she was in the hospital for five months because of surgery and chemotherapy.

"I got through it with the support of friends and family," Hamilton said. "I actually graduated from school on time. Anyone who has cancer should have faith, stay brave and keep fighting it."

She said she first detected something was not right after having a series of stomachaches.

"You should always go for checkups," Hamilton said. "You should go with your instincts because, if you're sick, you're sick. You should get it looked at and don't wait."

Hamilton's grandmother Sylvia Burns said she was scared after hearing that her granddaughter had cancer.

"We thought when you got cancer that people died," Burns said. "I asked my daughter, what are we going to do? My daughter said she's not going to die and rely on our faith. Renee is our miracle girl."

She said she is very thankful for the support of her family, friends and God for her granddaughter's survival.

"I am very hopeful and thankful," Burns said. "People should never give up hope and don't be afraid to ask for help."

Betty Chavez has been a leukemia survivor for nine years because of a bone marrow transplant from her sister Gina Donahue.

"They detected it because I had bruises," Chavez said. "I was fortunate that my sister was a match. I had it pretty easy because I traveled to Seattle, where my sister lives, for six months for the transplant and chemo."

Relay for Life participants walked, sang karaoke, watched the Junior Jazzercise and McTeggart Irish School of Dance troupe and watched movies until the event ended on Saturday.

"We're having a lot of fun for a good cause," event coordinator Valerie New said. "We didn't stop until 8 a.m. Our saying is cancer never sleeps, so for one night, we won't either."

For more information, call Jude Quintana at 453-7732 or go online at http://events.cancer.org/rflbelennm.

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