NEWS RELEASE FROM FNVHO:
News Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Natalie Mellon
September 8, 2009 Marketing Manager
(703) 638-8619
natalie.mellon@usoncology.com
Haymarket Family Sets Pace
for Cancer Fundraiser
(Gainesville, VA)
- On June 27th at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, VA, adults and children watched spellbound as race cars zoomed by on the track, momentarily forgetting about their raffle tickets that they had tucked away for safe keeping.But for Michelle and Willard Lawrence, owners of Lawrence Racing, based in Haymarket, VA, the raffle tickets never left his mind. The Lawrence’s were geared up that evening to raise money for The American Cancer Society (ACS) and Fairfax Northern Virginia Hematology Oncology (FNVHO), where Michelle’s father Juergen Boeke receives treatment for small cell lung cancer.
Lung cancers can be divided into two types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways, and they are treated differently. Small cell lung cancer is a common disease. It is usually treated by surgery (taking out the cancer in an operation) or radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays to kill cancer cells). However, chemotherapy may be used in some patients.
The Lawrence Racing family, which includes Willard and Michelle, their children Will and Allison, Juergen and Mary Boeke, Bill and Dora Lawrence, and all the supporting crew and their families used half of the money raised from the June 27th raffle to buy approximately 40 fleece blankets and 40 head coverings, which they delivered to FNVHO’s Gainesville office on August 25. The blankets and head coverings are available for patients to take and use during their cancer treatment at the location, where Boeke also receives his treatment. The family donated the other half of money raised to the ASC.
"We have lost dear friends to this desase, and dear friends have lost their family members," says Michelle. "We just want to do what we can to help in the fight."
"Blankets are always good gifts because patients often get cold during their treatment," says Ellen Wood, RN, MSN, OCN, who is the nursing supervisor at FNVHO’s Gainesville office. "When the patients come to our office for treatment, they feel and see the support from the community and I think it helps to uplift them."
About FNVHO
Fairfax Northern Virginia Hematology Oncology (FNVHO) is northern Virginia’s premier oncology and hematology practice of board certified physicians. The practice has 33 physician experts on cancer, blood disorders and stem-cell transplantation in seven locations across northern Virginia. Comprehensive practice services include collaborative nursing, financial counseling and access to cutting-edge clinical trials through affiliations with US Oncology, the National Cancer Institute and many other cooperative groups. For more information, visit www.fnvho.com.
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