Local Woman Conquers Pike's Peak

My article from the August 26, 2015 issue of The Polk County Pulse


Local Woman Conquers Pike's Peak
by Richie Lawry

Local woman, Betty Sobeski , 67, ran the Pike’s Peak Ascent which took place in Manitou Springs, Colorado on August 15, 2015.  The Pikes Peak Ascent is a racing event that begins at the base of Pike’s Peak, in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and over the course of 13.3 miles climbs over 7,815 feet to the top of the 14,115 foot peak.  Runners consider the Pike’s Peak races America’s ultimate challenge.  Eighteen hundred runners from all over the U.S and from as far away as Japan participated in the 2015 event.

Betty completed the Ascent along with her daughter, Joan Rendon, 50, of Waldron, Arkansas.  They trained together for six months.  They did all of their training on Rich Mountain, simulating the steep Pike’s Peak course.  Due to the heat they trained with very early morning runs.  Betty has been running for 25 years and Joan has been running for the last 10 years.

2015 was the first time that Joan ran the Pike’s Peak Ascent.  Betty had previously run the Pike’s Peak Marathon five times from 2001 to 2007. In 2003 she brought home a trophy for placing second in her age class, just two minutes short of first place.  The marathon course is to the top of Pike’s Peak and back down again.

ACS Researcher Making a Difference

This is my article as published in the June 12, 2014 issue of The Mena Star.


AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RESEARCHER MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN LIVES, THE FUTURE

Dr. Yibin Kang, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. He has been recognized by the American Association for Cancer Research with its Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research.

This award honors a researcher younger than 40 for meritorious achievements in the field of cancer research. Dr. Kang’s research was funded by an American Cancer Society grant made possible by donations to Relay For Life. He was recognized by AACR for his research in furthering the molecular understanding of cancer metastasis – which is when cancer spreads from the part of the body where it started to other parts of the body. His research has defined the mechanisms governing the ability of breast cancer cells to migrate and colonize various locations throughout the body.

Nearly 90% of cancer mortality is due to tumor cells metastasizing in surrounding tissue, yet until recently this area of study was underdeveloped. Dr. Kang has discovered that certain tumor proteins are capable of altering the biological activities of various bone cells to facilitate metastasis.

Dr. Kang’s lab has identified specific pathways that usher tumor cells to the surrounding tissue, causing metastasis. Identifying these pathways is critical, as pharmaceutical inhibitors have proven effective in blockading the procession of tumor cells, greatly reducing the potential for cancer metastasizing in vital organs.

The American Cancer Society is currently funding over 800 different research projects covering over 50 different types of cancer. The American Cancer Society has been conducting and funding cancer research since 1946. In that time, the Society has spent more than $4 billion on cancer research.

Forty seven of the researchers the American Cancer Society has funded went on to win the Nobel Prize. More than 80% of the directors of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers are former American Cancer Society grantees. It is money raised by Relay For Life volunteers here in Polk County along with those on over 5,200 other communities in the U.S. that fund this important research.

Relay and Rain

The 2014 Relay For Life of Polk County celebration was held May 30th. Because of rain we had to move Relay from our local park to the Christian Motorcycle Association Iron Mountain facilities. The 40,000 square foot facility provide an excellent place to hold an event of this size indoors. 

The event began with a Survivor Lap - our local cancer survivors circling the track while they were cheered on by the crowd.

During the evening each of the fifteen local Relay For Life teams had a booth with food and activities for everyone.  There was entertainment and a talent show.  Each of the teams had at least one walker on the track at all times.  Our team had a jail and the local sheriff deputies arrested people and placed them in the jail.  Of course someone paid to have my wife and I arrested.

Out team theme was Minions Working for a Cure.  We dressed in Yellow Minion T-shirts and Minion goggles.

As it gets dark, the attention of the Relay turns to remembering loved ones lost to cancer and honoring those battling the disease through the luminaria bags lining the track.  Relay For Life participants and donors dedicate the luminaria bags to those who are special to them. As people quietly circle the track, each of the names is read.  They are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends, coworkers, and so many others. 

After the Luminaria Ceremony, the Relay team participants are ready to stay up all night.  Relay For Life events last all night because cancer never sleeps.  Throughout the night each team had at least one participant on the track at all times.  There were many activities to keep everyone entertained through the night, including karaoke, a dance contest, 3 on 3 basketball, line dancing, Zumba and tug of war.

Relay For Life is a community event.  Every person in Polk County who has been touched by cancer benefits from the research funded through the money raised by these dedicated volunteers of Relay For Life of Polk County.  Seeing the community stand together in our fight against cancer at Relay For Life is something special. Over 6,500 dollars was raised at the event bringing the total raised so far this year to over 54,000.00

Why I Relay

The 2014 Relay For Life of Polk County celebration will he held May 30th starting at 6:00 P.M. at Janssen Park in Mena.  15 teams of hard working local volunteers have been raising money to be used in the fight against cancer.  Each one of these volunteers have a story and a reason that they participate in Relay For Life.  Here a some of the reasons that local Relay For Life volunteers have for being involved.

I am involved with Relay For Life because I have had multiple friends and family members touched by this disease.  I believe that coming together as a community to raise money for more birthdays is a duty for every community member. - Natalie Rose

I Relay because of my daughter Melissa.  It was such a helpless feeling for her Dad and I - not knowing what we could do to help her.  Then we learned about Relay For Life and we have been involved ever since.  Raising dollars to help find a cure for this horrible disease is our way of helping Melissa and others. -  Rhonda McKee

I Relay because of my mother in law and brother in law and several friends.  My mother in law and brother in law are survivors but I have lost two very close friends.  It is my hope that if we keep fighting we can find a cure - Terri Harrison

I Relay because I never want a parent to hear the words "your child has cancer".  At the age of 1 year 23 months my son was diagnosed with leukemia.  Cancer is an evil battle and one that needs to go away!  The American Cancer Society is the leader in research and finding cures.  I am proud to support that effort. - Charlotte Wiles

I Relay because I lost my father, brother, father in law, brother in law, and sister in law to cancer.  The loss of them was very hard, but seeing my 2 1/2 year old grand daughter have a bone marrow test and seeing her go through surgery was heart breaking.  Thanks to the Lord and the knowledge he gave doctors, she is a survivor.  I want to raise money for research so that a cure can be found and no other family has to go through what we have gone through. - Toni Tillota

I Relay for one of my best friends and co worker, Betty Johnson and for my two aunts that have passed away from colon cancer.  Relay is a great camaraderie of friends, family and co workers caring for each other. - Debbie Welch

I Relay because I want to fight for a cure for cancer.  My favorite part of Relay For Life is the lives we touch and the friends we make for life. - Crystal Mos

I Relay for the fight against cancer because I have lost a lot of family member to cancer.  My favorite part of Relay For Life is when everyone comes together to raise money for the fight.  The night of Relay is the best because everyone is there for the same reason.  It feels like one big family reunion. - Jared Standridge

I started with Relay For Life because I lost my aunt to pancreatic cancer.  I want so badly to help in the fight for a cure for ALL cancer.  I am amazed that so much of every dollar goes to research.  I Relay for More Birthdays. - Brandi Sachs

I Relay to be involved in my community and for the people that aren't able to. - Samantha Rusert

My team Relays for cancer survivors and for a cure for cancer! - James Hale

I Relay for my son Traven.  We are all in this for a cure for cancer. - Carol Lane

I Relay because I care.  I want a cure. - Jacque Gallego

I am involved in Relay For Life to help find a cure for cancer.  Relay is good people working together for a cure and having fun. - George McKee

The American Cancer Society, through the fundraising efforts of volunteers like these here in Polk County along with volunteers in over 5,200 Relays in the U.S., saves lives and creates more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, finding cures and fighting back against this disease. Thanks to research funded by Relay For Life, many cancers that were once considered a death sentence can now be cured and for many more people their cancer can now be treated effectively.  Every person in Polk County who has been touched by cancer benefits from the research funded by the dedicated volunteers of Relay For Life of Polk County.

Why Relay For Life Is Important To Me - Lawry's Testimony

This is my article as published in the May 15, 2014 issue of The Mena Star.



The 2014 Relay For Life of Polk County celebration will he held May 30th starting at 6:00 P.M. at Janssen Park in Mena.  15 teams of hard working local volunteers have been raising money to be used in the fight against cancer.  Each one of these volunteers have a story and a reason that they participate in Relay For Life.

For the past eight years my wife and I have worked tirelessly to raise money for cancer research.  One of my wife's motivations is the story of her mothers struggle with cancer.  Even though her mother's cancer was terminal, she agreed to be a part of a bone marrow study that was funded by the American Cancer Society.  My wife and her family tried to talk her out of it knowing how painful it would be, but she said, "you never know who you might help".  She lost her battle with cancer in 1976.  20 years later a bone marrow transplant, made possible by that research from 1976, saved my wife's sister's life.

Recently my wife's cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia and was told that without a bone marrow transplant his life expectancy was just three months.  After a successful bone marrow transplant his cancer is now in remission.  My wife's mother was willing to take part in research because it might help a complete stranger not knowing that it would end up saving the lives of family that she loved.  Research that is being conducted today will save many lives in the future.

A little over a year ago my Mom learned that she had a cancerous kidney tumor. Last February she underwent treatment on her kidney tumor. The procedure that the doctors used is called cryoablation. Cryoablation uses hollow needles that are inserted into the tumor. When the probes are in place, the cryogenic freezing unit  uses cold energy to destroy the cancerous tissue.

I have spent the last eight years doing all that I can to raise money for cancer research through the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  When I first got involved with Relay For Life the procedure that was used on my Mom last year was just in the research stage.  It has only become an available treatment in the last three years.  Research that was funded by money that I helped raise right here in Polk County ended up providing a treatment and cure for my Mom.  With cryoablation treatment kidney cancer is cured in approximately 97 percent of patients.

The American Cancer Society, through the fundraising efforts of volunteers of over 5,200 Relays in the U.S., saves lives and creates more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, finding cures and fighting back against this disease. Thanks to research funded by Relay For Life, many cancers that were once considered a death sentence can now be cured and for many more people their cancer can now be treated effectively.  Every person in Polk County who has been touched by cancer benefits from the research funded by the dedicated volunteers of Relay For Life of Polk County.

Relay For Life

Relay For Life has been raising money for the American Cancer Society since 1985, when Gordy Klatt came up with a way to raise funds for his local American Cancer Society office in Tacoma, Washington, and show support of all his patients who had battled cancer.  He did this by spending 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound.  He ran more than 83 miles and his efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.  It has only gotten bigger and better from there.

Relay For Life events are held for the purpose of celebrating cancer survivors, remembering those we have lost, and giving hope that one day the world may be cancer free.  Through the celebrating and remembering, the success gets passed along to the American Cancer society through the fundraising that happens all year long.  With each Relay For life that takes place, it adds to the overall funding that can be used toward cancer research and treatments.

Volunteers from all around Polk County are preparing for this years Relay For Life celebration that will he held May 30th starting at 6:00 P.M. at Janssen Park in Mena.  15 teams of hard working local volunteers have been raising money to be used in the fight against cancer.  This year alone, because of the fundraising efforts of over 5,200 Relays in the U.S., the American Cancer Society is funding research for over fifty different types of cancer.

This year has seen some new and innovative fundraising efforts by Relay For Life team members.  There has been a Flushing out Cancer toilet bouquet seen around town.  The Boots vs. Burgers Basketball Bash was a lot of fun.   The Melanoma Awareness Prevention Program Pageant had over 40 participants and the audience filled the Crossing auditorium.  The Miss-ter Relay Pageant was highly entertaining.

Relay For Life of Polk County volunteers are serious about fighting cancer.  They are fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in our community. Each volunteer who works to benefit Relay For Life takes pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten our loved ones or rob anyone of another birthday.

For the past eight years my wife and I have worked tirelessly to raise money for cancer research.  One of my wife's motivations is the story of her mothers struggle with cancer.  Even though her mother's cancer was terminal, she agreed to be a part of a bone marrow study that was funded by the American Cancer Society.  My wife and her family tried to talk her out of it knowing how painful it would be, but she said, "you never know who you might help".  She lost her battle with cancer in 1976.  20 years later a bone marrow transplant, made possible by that research from 1976, saved my wife's sister's life.  Recently my wife's cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia and was told that without a bone marrow transplant his life expectancy was just three months.  After a successful bone marrow transplant his cancer is now in remission.  My wife's mother was willing to take part in research because it might help a complete stranger not knowing that it would end up saving the lives of family that she loved.  Research that is being conducted today will save many lives in the future.

A little over a year ago my Mom learned that she had a cancerous kidney tumor. Last February she underwent treatment on her kidney tumor. The procedure that the doctors used is called cryoablation.  Cryoablation uses hollow needles that are inserted into the tumor. When the probes are in place, the cryogenic freezing unit  uses cold energy to destroy the cancerous tissue.  I have spent the last eight years doing all that I can to raise money for cancer research through the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  When I first got involved with Relay For Life the procedure that was used on my Mom last year was just in the research stage.  It has only become an available treatment in the last three years.  Research that was funded by money that I helped raise right here in Polk County ended up providing a treatment and cure for my Mom.  With cryoablation treatment kidney cancer is cured in approximately 97 percent of patients.

Research is at the heart of Relay For Life.  For more than 65 years, the American Cancer Society has been finding answers that save lives - from changes in lifestyle to new approaches in therapies to improving cancer patients' quality-of-life.  In fact, no single nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization in the US has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer.

You can be a part of Relay For Life by searching for a Relay near you at this link.

To read many other great blogs or to become part of the ABC Wednesday family click here.

Five Years Ago

MASONIC LODGE AFTER THE APRIL 9, 2009 TORNADO

Five years ago today the face of Mena changed drastically. An F3 tornado damaged a large section of town. 100 houses were destroyed and 600 damaged. Over 10,000 trees were destroyed.

I wrote the following paragraphs a few hours after the tornado hit.

Tonight at around 7:30 the tornado sirens sounded here in Mena. Gina and I went to the safe place in our house, the downstairs hallway. About that time our electricity went out. The storm passed without damage here at the house. We were thankful that we were spared.

After the storm passed and the stars came out, I decided to drive into town to see if anyone had electricity. When I got to downtown, I started to see storm damage and saw that the authorities were not letting people proceed to the north side of Mena.

I drove to my parents house to see if they were OK, and they were fine with no damage to their house or property. I drove on to the church but saw no damage there. I thought that the storm may not have been to bad, but by the time I returned home, the phone was ringing off the hook with reports of severe damage.

The first news reports stated that the Polk County Sheriff's Department reports one person was killed after a tornado swept through the town Thursday night.

We received a call from a friend telling us that our good friend Deanna had a lot of damage to her house, and her car was totaled. Just before the storm hit, Deanna was on the phone with Gina telling her that she was in the closet and she was scared. We have not been able to talk to her since. We don't know what we will find when we are able to get into the the area. Just a couple of blocks from her house, there were 20 or more people in the Masonic Lodge when it collapsed. There is one known fatality on the street where Deanna lives.

We have had friends staying with us this evening, because they were not able to get home. The National Guard is in town and not letting anyone into the severely damaged area. There was damage at Rich Mountain Community College, and at Wal-Mart. There is extensive damage at U.S. Motors where Gina operates the Credit Union.

I need to go to sleep, but probably sleep won't come. I don't know what tomorrow will bring.
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Here are photos that I was able to take two days after the tornado. Pictures can't really give you the feel of the actual scene.





















I want to dedicate this post to the memory of those who died in the tornado; Anna Cress, Judy Lobner, and Albert Shaw.