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Mock
crash at NHS promotes alcohol awareness
Hospital days away from completion
Graudation at St. Paul High School proves to be
a intimate affair
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Relay more than a long walk |
Newberg resident Cindy McCracken credits cancer
research for saving her life |
By Schellene
Clendenin, Newberg Graphic
reporter
E-mail Gunnar at golson@eaglenewspapers.com
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Cindy McCracken was showering when she first noticed the lump in her
left breast. McCracken, an infection control nurse at Providence
Newberg Hospital, was aware of the importance of breast self
examinations.
It was August 2002.
McCracken credits research funded by the American Cancer Society —
through events such as the upcoming Relay for Life in Newberg — for
saving her life.
The Newberg Relay for Life will begin at 6 p.m. June 16 at the
Newberg High School track and will continue until 2 p.m. June 17.
McCracken said after finding the lump she went to her doctor for a
follow-up examination and was told the lump was indeed cancerous.
She was diagnosed with Her2 positive, an aggressive form of cancer
that grows so quickly it can kill.
The news was ominous.
“I had had one mammogram one year prior, but this kind of cancer is
so fast growing ... it came out of nowhere,” she said. “It was a
pretty good sized lump.”
By September 2002, McCracken had undergone surgery to remove both
breasts and eight lymph nodes. She was administered chemotherapy —
the strongest available.
Then, her oncologist prescribed Herceptin, a drug given to patients
intravenously that helps shrink and prevent the growth of breast
cancer.
Then the other shoe fell. Subsequent scans showed the cancer had
traveled. Doctors found a lesion on her skull. But after one year on
Herceptin, the lesion was gone.
“I figure the reason I am here is because of Herceptin, and the
prayers of my friends and family,” she said.
She’s not sure if the American Cancer Society provided funds for
Herceptin research, but she knows the money raised by the group for
cancer research has helped save lives.
McCracken had always known about Relay for Life; the hospital was
active in its support of the event. Before the cancer, she had
always meant to become involved.
“After my experience, I felt like I owed it to my brothers and
sisters, those who have survived cancer and those who have not” to
raise money for cancer research, she said. “It’s a wonderful effort
at making a difference.”
A fund-raising event will also be held today (Saturday) by the
Providence Newberg Medical Center’s Relay for Life Team. Jiffy Lube
of Newberg will donate $5 per car serviced to the team.
For more information, call McCracken at 503-537-1799 or Tom
Vondrachek at 503-538-8979. |
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From
June 3,
2006, Newberg Graphic
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