2nd annual Bark For Life helps take a bite out of cancer

The 2010 Bark For Life of Albuquerque was held Saturday, August 21, at Jerry Cline Park near I-40 and Louisiana. Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.

This year about 80 dogs of all sizes and breeds joined the fight and participants and sponsors helped raise about $10,000 for cancer research and programs. The event included a mass walk around the park, contests, and booths for the dogs and the owners to enjoy.

Tasha Serna-Gallegos, a multi-year winner of the Society's Young Cancer Survivor College Scholarship addressed the crowd with her dog Duke. Tasha a leukemia cancer survivor credits Duke with helping her through the diagnosis and treatment. Some canine cancer survivors also joined the event as well.

Christie Anderson, former Society staffer and one of the people who helped put together the initial Bark For Life before retiring, was the top individual fundraiser this year. Some great sponsors also helped make the event a success such as: VCA Animal Hospitals, University of Phoenix, Canine Country Club & Feline Inn, Clark's Pet Emporium, Camp Bow Wow, Tony Lynn's Caring Paws Doggie Day Care, and Three Dog Bakery. Media sponsors 100.3 The Peak and Lite 95.1 of Clear Channel Radio helped get the word out and a small group of volunteers added some final touches to make the event a "howling" success.

2010 Climb to Conquer Cancer

The American Cancer Society in New Mexico held it's fourth annual Climb to Conquer Cancer event Saturday, August 21, to honor cancer survivors, remember those we've lost to cancer, and raise funds for cancer research and programs.

Climb to Conquer Cancer is a unique, non-competitive event to the Western states and is meant to represent the challenge of overcoming cancer. Those that complete the climb can proudly say "I made it to the top."

Taking on the challenge of elevation and going uphill about 260 participants of all ages and backgrounds walked, ran, or biked the 6.5 miles up the Sandia Crest Byway to the summit at 10,678 feet.

The event raised $20,000 for cancer research and programs. Many thanks to Corporate Sponsors: UPS and IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters), In-Kind Sponsors: Stone Age Climbing Gym, REI, and Defined Fitness and Media Sponsor: 94 Rock KZRR of Clear Channel Radio. Also thanks to the St. Pius Girls Soccer team for volunteering and all the many others who helped with the event.

Ruidoso Cancer Survivor Selected as Hero of Hope

Sashay Mills-Cardone of Ruidoso has been selected as an American Cancer Society Hero of Hope for 2010. As a Hero of Hope, these cancer survivors have demonstrated a commitment to the fight against cancer through their inspiration and contribution to their local American Cancer Society Relay For Life event.

There are few things more traumatic than hearing "you have cancer." When Sashay heard those word, her only concerns should have been homework and when the next school holiday was. Sashay was diagnosed shortly after her 15th birthday and just before Christmas in 2002. Sashay was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, a cancer originating in the nasopharynx, the uppermost region of the "throat."

Sashay began participating in Relay For Life as a way to retaliate against cancer. She now Relays to prevent others from experiencing what she went through. Now years later and many Relay For Life events later she has many great memories especially about the people.

"It is so rewarding when I meet them again and they tell me 'oh yes I know you, you helped me when my husband was sick or something similar,' " said Sashay. "Feeling like I really made a difference--that I will never forget."

"The only thing scarier than cancer is not doing anything about it," said Sashay, as she sums up her cancer experience and Relay For Life. "Cancer and the Relay For Life have taught me that HOPE is alive and well, even when the patient isn't."

Heroes of Hope will be instrumental in working with the Society to broaden outreach of survivorship throughout the year for Relay For Life as well as share their inspiring stories.

American Cancer Society Awards $720,000 Research Grant To NM Researcher

The American Cancer Society, the largest non-government, not-for-profit funding source of cancer research in the United States has awarded a grant totalling $720,000 to Ellen J. Beswick, Ph.D.

Beswick is an assistant professor at the Dpeartment of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and her research is entitled "Cytokine-Mediated Link Between Infection, Chronic Inflammation, and Cancer."

Beswick believes her research could contribute to fighting gastrointestinal cancers at a very early stage and perhaps contribute to developing better approaches to cancer treatments. She intends to uncover very early pathways in cancer that make cells begin to divide abnormally. Beswick's work is unique in that it looks at very early events of how chronic inflammation may induce aberrant cell growth.

Grant applications are ranked on the basis of merit by one of several discipline-specific Peer Review Committees, each of which is composed of 12 to 25 scientific advisors or peers who are experts in the fields. The Council for Extramural Grants, a committe of senior scientists, recommends funding based on the reletive merit of the applications, the amount of available funds, and the Society's objectives. No member of the Society's board of directors or National Assembly may serve on a Peer Review Committee or the Council.

The Society has funded 44 researchers who have went on to win the Nobel Prize.

Two NM Cancer Survivors Awarded Young Cancer Survivor Scholarships by Society

Tasha Serna-Gallegos (top) of Albuquerque, N.M. and Mariah Terese Galvez (bottom) of Ojo Caliente, N.M. have both been awarded a $2,500 college scholarship for 2010 from the American Cancer Society. Tasha is a repeat winner.

Tasha was diagnosed while a freshman in high school with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the white blood cells, which continuously multiply and are overproduced in the bone marrow. Mariah was diagnosed at age six with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue tumor.

Galvez, a recent graduate of Mesa High School in Ojo Caliente, N.M. has been accepted and will attend the University of New Mexico this fall. She is interested in becoming a pediatric nurse. Tasha, a graduate of Sandia Prep in Albuquerque is currently a senior at Occidental College in Los Angeles and is preparing to graduate with a degree in biochemistry. She has begun to apply for medical schools.

Scholarships were awarded based on financial need, leadership, academic achievement and community service. To be eligible candidates must have had a cancer diagnosis before age 21 and be a New Mexico resident. Students must also have a GPA of at least 2.5 and have been accepted to an accredited school. The purpose of the scholarship program is to help both the patient and family overcome the financial burden of cancer.