Dance Against Cancer

By Todd Curran
As a fundraiser for the Enbridge Ride To Conquer Cancer 2011, three teams have come together to host a May 28th Family Dance at the Flare ‘N Derrick in Turner Valley.

Local favourites Team Tarceva, Team Stirr and Team Goin for Glo are participating in the Ride by biking 200km to raise money and are going a step further by organizing the Family Dance. “All proceeds from the dance go to the Alberta Cancer Foundation,” says Sharon Raduloff of Team Tarceva. “Everyone on these teams has been touched by cancer personally or through a loved one, including my husband and teammate Robert.”

Robert is a stage 4 lung cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2006. His prognosis was 9 to 12 months and by October of 2007 he was not expected to last beyond Christmas. His oncologist knew of a drug that had shown some positive response, but it was only approved for 2nd line treatment. That meant Alberta Health only covered it if you had been treated with chemotherapy first, which Robert had refused. Even so, Robert chose to try it and cover the $2,700 monthly cost himself.

TARCEVA turned out to be Robert's miracle drug! Within days he was no longer coughing, he could breathe better and his energy levels were improving. Within about 6 weeks he was completely off all supplemental oxygen. His improvement has been steady and doctors at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre have been amazed. Although Robert has been classed as "Stable" not "cured" he is feeling and breathing well enough to participate on the 200km Ride.

You can support Robert and his fellow riders in their goal to raise money and awareness for the Albert Cancer Foundation by donating to their teams at www.conquercancer.ca or attending the May 28th Family Dance at the Flare ‘N Derrick in Turner Valley. Doors open at 7:00pm and tickets are on sale at the door: $2.50 per child $5.00 per adult or $10.00 per family. With door prizes, silent auctions, food, drink and DJ music by Rockin The City, let’s dance cancer into extinction!