Cancer Center of Santa Barbara Marks 60 Years With a Celebration of Life

Nearly 1,500 survivors and their guests enjoy a day of smiles, fun — and hope — at Viva la Vida

Tom Weisenburger, a 50-year survivor of thyroid cancer, shares a few words during the cake-cutting at Viva la Vida, Saturday’s event at SBCC celebrating the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara’s 60th anniversary. “This is a special event, where you meet so many courageous people,” he said. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)

By Kenny Lindberg, Noozhawk Intern | Published on 06.07.2009

The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara celebrated its 60th anniversary Saturday during its annual Viva la Vida festival at SBCC, drawing nearly 1,500 cancer survivors and guests, including Mayor Marty Blum.

“This is just an opportunity for people to celebrate life and forget about the disease for a day,” Cancer Center President Rick Scott said.

The mayor, a survivor, was impressed by the turnout. “You see people of all ages that have been affected by cancer, from kids to grandparents,” Blum said.

Blum thanked the Cancer Center, then she cut the anniversary cake — an act that was well-received by the crowd. Blum also encouraged those in treatment to fight on. “There are so many people in Santa Barbara that encourage and support you,” she said.

Cancer survivor and Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum cuts the cake in honor of the Cancer Center’s 60th anniversary. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)

“The hardest thing for me was losing my hair,” breast cancer survivor Jerrie Shapiro said. “I got my boyfriend to shave my head, which I guess is pretty common, and I just wept the entire time. You feel like you lose your identity.”

Shapiro, who exercised regularly and ate a healthy diet, said finding out that she had cancer was the biggest surprise of her life. “It just happened so fast,” she said.

Dr. Lindsay Blunt, a radiation oncologist, recalled the scare he faced five years ago when he received word that he had colon cancer.

Blunt said that because he was a doctor, he knew the horrors he was facing and the potential of the disease to spread. It didn’t, and now he has “special empathy” for his patients who are fighting the disease.

Illiana Medina, 6, took advantage of the free face-painting. (Lindsay Groark / Cancer Center of Santa Barbara photo)

“This is a special event, where you meet so many courageous people,” said Dr. Tom Weisenburger, a 50-year survivor of thyroid cancer.

The event featured a variety of free festivities, including children’s games, face painting, makeovers, massage tables, food, jumpers, a comedian, a dance contest and even three alpacas from West Ranch in Los Olivos.

“This is just a big party for everyone,” Cancer Center marketing coordinator Lindsay Groark said.

Now that Shapiro has won her fight with cancer, she said she just wants to positively encourage anyone she meets who is facing the disease. “I just want to go up to them and hug them, and say, ‘You’ll get through this.’”

Click here for a Noozhawk slideshow.

16th Annual
Cancer Center of Santa Barbara Walk/Run
Sunday, October 19th 2008

Everyone is welcome to join us for one of Santa Barbara's most popular fundraising events. This event which we started 16 years ago in conjunction with the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara by runners,Cancer Survivor's and people that just cared has had a enormous impact on our community. In the past 16 years we have raised 1.7 Million Dollars

Thank you!

Thank you for contributing to the success of the 2008 Cancer Center Walk/Run. This yearsl event raised more than $181,000 for local cancer research.
Information: Cancer Center (805) 898-2116

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Walk/Run benefit the clinical research program at the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara.

Through our research program, cancer fighting agents are made available to adult and pediatric patients in our community. Clinical trials are vital to the evolution of cancer treatment. Today’s standard practices were all proven by clinical trials before they became generally available. While patients may choose to enter a trial to improve their own conditions, they also help map the future of cancer care for others. The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara is pleased to be able to offer more than twenty trials annually to local residents, a benefit not afforded by all cancer treatment facilities. In addition, funds from the Walk/Run support two post-doctoral fellowships in basic science research at UCSB, the UCSB Research Mentorship Program and medical and public education programs, including the Frontiers in Cancer Research lecture series.

2008 Cancer Survivor Photo

Rudy wins Gold

Rudy Garcia-Tolson stands true to his testament once again. For his second consecutive Paralympic Games, he’s won gold.

On Sunday, September 7, day one of competition at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Rudy and three other U.S. swimmers (Erin Popovich, Miranda Uhl and Jessica Long) earned themselves the top shelf hardware, more gold medals than any other country. Not only did CAF’s Rudy Garcia-Tolson win gold in the 200 IM again, but he smashed his own world record by three seconds in the prelims with a time of 2:37.80 and again in the finals with a time of 2:35.92. He blew his old record out of the water - twice!

Other major CAF swimming accomplishments on day one include the following three athletes qualifying for the finals in the 100 m Freestyle: Roy Perkins Jr., Joe McCarthy and Aimee Bruder. Both Roy Perkins Jr. and Aimee Bruder made the podium with their performances, each winning the Bronze medal for the U.S. That's a lot of clinkage in one day's work. Congratulations!

(To read more about swimming’s day one of competition, visit: http://paralympics.teamusa.org/news/article/6622)

Rudy continues on his quest for more bling in at least four more individual events including the 400 m Freestyle, 100 m Butterfly, 100 m Backstroke, 100 m Breaststroke and he hopes to land a spot on a couple relay teams as well.

Watch out Michael Phelps… Here comes Rudy Garcia-Tolson!

CAF U.S. Paralympic Athletes Found Success in Beijing

30 Medals Won by CAF U.S. Paralympic Athletes

World Records = 4
Team Gold Medals = Goalball, Basketball and Rugby
Individual Gold Medals = 9
Individual Silver Medals = 5
Individual Bronze Medals = 8

As the games came to a close yesterday, CAF U.S. Paralympic athletes displayed their true colors – Gold, Silver and Bronze – and took the podium in sports including women’s wheelchair basketball, cycling, goalball, men’s wheelchair rugby, swimming, tennis and track & field. The Paralympics showcased that not only can challenged athletes participate, but they are true competitors representing their country just like the able-bodied Olympians. Thanks to your support, our athletes, like CAF spokesperson Rudy Garcia-Tolson, found success competing at the highest level possible.

“Beijing for me has been an amazing experience. I came to win the 200 IM and medal in the 100 Breststroke and I did so I am very happy with my performances. I’m also very honored to represent my country and it couldn’t have turned out better.”

- Rudy Garcia-Tolson

After a week and a half of competition, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games came to a close yesterday. In all, the United States finished third in the medal count with 99 total medals: 36 Gold, 35 Silver and 28 Bronze. Highest honors went to CAF’s Operation Rebound member Melissa Stockwell, as she was selected as the flag bearer for the U.S. Paralympic team. We salute her valiant efforts in swimming and for heroically representing this country in so many ways.

Congratulations to all the CAF U.S. Paralympic Athletes. You have made us proud!

Click here to view the results of all of the CAF U.S. Paralympic Athletes: http://www.challengedathletes.org/CAFSupportedAthletes.htm

Click here to view some of the spectacular photos from the event: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/
2008_summer_paralympic_games.html

CAF Program Pulse:

Operation Rebound Diversifies its Sports Offerings with
First Time Wrestling Clinic

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) in conjunction with Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and the Balboa Warrior Athlete Program (BWAP) held a wrestling clinic for wounded warriors at the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) gym, Aug. 8 as part of the CAF Operation Rebound Military Medical Center Physical Training Program.

"The clinic was another way to show troops that they can overcome their injuries," said Nico Marcolongo, Operation Rebound Program Manager. "It also gives them a chance to experience a different sport."

"Sports are a great form of rehabilitation," said retired U.S. Marine Corporal Evan Morgan. "Not only do they give you goals, but they're also fun, engaging and interactive."

During the clinic, special guest Dustin Carter, a quadruple amputee and wrestler, told his story of training and competing as a wrestler with a handicap.

Read more here...

Catch a Rising Star Makes a Splash in Orange County

CAF Athletes to be Featured on Oprah

Tune in to The Oprah Winfrey Show on Wednesday, May 2nd. CAF athletes Rudy Garcia-Tolson and Jake Frank will be showcased on Oprah's "Our Most Memorable Guests" episode. The show was filmed on Tuesday, April 24th. Check your local listing for the show time.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation has been an integral part of these young men's lives. Without your continued support, they wouldn't be where they are today. CAF spokesman, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, achieved his dream of Paralympic Gold with the support of CAF. Now he acts as a role model for the younger generation of bilateral amputees like Jake Frank. Both young men are inspirations for what is possible. Both have brave hearts. And both have benefited from the support of CAF.

Join us in watching these two young "CAF standouts" on the media mogul TV show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. You helped make these dreams come true.

Challenged Athletes, Inc.
11199 Sorrento Valley Rd., Suite C, San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: (858)866-0959, Fax: (858)866-0958
Tax #33-0739596, www.challengedathletes.org

Major David Rozelle "Operation Rebound"

Major David M. Rozelle

Challenged Athletes Foundation Spokesman Major David Rozelle, a below-knee amputee, is an icon, resource and inspirational figure for American soldiers injured in recent conflicts abroad.

While in Iraq, commanding 140 troops of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Major Rozelle lost part of his right leg when a landmine exploded under his Humvee. After returning to duty, and completing a second tour in Iraq on a prosthetic leg, Major Rozelle now works to help injured soldiers to get back to living. He strongly believes in the healing power of sports to help accomplish this new mission.

After participating in the 2004 San Diego Triathlon Challenge, Major Rozelle became a proud supporter of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). He serves as a role model and mentor in CAF's Operation Rebound program. Major Rozelle will be joining us on our QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge ride.