B
FEB. 17, 2012
SECTION
Cancer Angels puts focus on patients’ unmet needs By Lillian Cox
JEAN GILLETTE Small Talk
When photos were still on film I know bankruptcy doesn’t really mean that a company is going away forever anymore, but it always means things have changed and will never be as they were. I recall my malaise when Frederick’s of Hollywood filed in 2000. Trashy women everywhere just panicked and I wondered how hard it was going to be to get a decent pair of black fishnet stockings afterward. Rest easy. They are still in business. I also felt a special twinge when I heard about Kodak going Chapter 11 this year. It is the end of a part of my youth. Basically, so much changed so fast in the photography world, but I remember the days of Kodak and Polaroid like my kids will remember Apple and Microsoft. They were the technological superstars and produced the coolest gadgets of my childhood. I remember being amazed at the first Polaroid instamatic cameras. They smelled funny but getting your photo immediately was astounding! My sweetest memory is of my oh-so-cool Polaroid Swinger camera. I got it just before high school graduation in 1967. It was the highlight of a class beach trip to La Jolla Shores with our foreign exchange student, just before his return to Venezuela. We must have taken dozens of photos as part of that fond farewell. My Swinger gave me some serious cache. I can’t say I miss wrestling with rolls of film, figuring f stops, guessing distance and such, but in my salad days as a reporter, it made me feel very official. I went nowhere without my hefty TURN TO SMALL TALK ON B14
ENCINITAS — Eve Beutler, MFT, has been a popular North County therapist for 30 years. In 2007, she was so moved by the plight of a patient that she founded the nonprofit Cancer Angels of San Diego to help her and others. Georgia Misopoulos was a Stage IV breast cancer patient who had just received a warning letter, from a nonprofit that had been paying her rent and utilities, that she would no longer be receiving assistance due to a change in policy. “I called some large charities and there was nothing,” Beutler recalled. “Then I called family, friends and the Meritage Restaurant to see what they could do in the way of a fundraiser. “Dr. Mario Yco, otolaryngologist, said he’d underwrite the cost of the dinner. Singer Peggy Lebo offered to provide entertainment.” The event raised $33,000, which made it possible for Misopoulos and eight other women to stay in their homes. Since that time, Cancer Angels has supported 250 cancer patients and their children. Today, they are launching another all-out effort to generate donations. “Like other small charities, we are in the need of funding to continue to give at
Cancer Angels of San Diego founder Eve Beutler, MFT. The nonprofit has an immediate need for cash donations, gift cards (groceries, gas) and volunteers to help local Stage IV cancer patients pay for housing, utilities and other expenses that are essential for living. Photo by Lillian Cox
the level we have, and to take on more patients,” Beutler said. She explained that by the time patients reach Stage
IV, the cancer has throughout the Although people can years with Stage IV lifetime treatment
spread body. live for cancer, causes
severe side effects making it impossible to work. Of the 25 percent of San Diego County cancer patients who will eventually be diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, more than 40 percent will be unable to pay their medical bills. Twenty-five percent will face homelessness. “At the time I was seeing Eve I was absolutely distraught and had no idea what I was going to do,” said Misopoulos, who previously worked as a corporate sales professional. “Cancer Angels enabled me to focus on healing rather than going to bed at night, worrying if I was going to have a bed to sleep in the next night.” She added, “A few months ago I was in hospice and wasn’t expected to live through the month. Now I’m back home. I’m a miracle, but it wouldn’t have been possible without Eve.” Benedict Marfori worked as a golf attendant at the Four Seasons Aviara until he was struck with pancreatic cancer in 2007. He says he never took a sick day in the nine years he was on the job until the receiving the diagnosis. Today, his pancreatic cancer has spread to his liver. Side effects of medication have resulted in kidney failure and fluid in the lungs. Consequently, Marfori’s life revolves around chemothera-
py and dialysis. What bothers him the most is the constant worry, and the fact that the burden of work falls solely on his wife, a bank teller. “She is apprehensive because people are getting laid off, left and right, and there is no job security,” Marfori said. “At the beginning, I had savings but we went through that fast.” He added, “Since Cancer Angels has been helping us, we know we have a place to stay. I have a little dog that we got from the shelter who lifts my spirits, and they give me dog food for free (compliments of Petco Oceanside). When I am in hospital, Cancer Angels visit me.” Specifically, Beutler is seeking cash donations and gift cards for food (99 Cent Store, Wal-Mart, Ralphs, Vons) and gas. Because Cancer Angels has no overhead, all donations go directly to helping Stage IV cancer patients. She explained that Cancer Angels has a lifetime commitment to their patients as long as they are disabled and unable to work. However, clients are required to sign up for food stamps and, with Cancer Angels’ assistance, downsize if necessary. “The more money we get, the more we can help,” TURN TO ANGELS ON B14
Area swimmers preparing to take the plunge By Promise Yee
OCEANSIDE — How does one get ready to jump into 50-degree ocean water for the Polar Plunge at Oceanside Pier Feb. 18? Special Olympic athlete Hanna Ramsey said she practices by swimming in a cold pool. Some Polar Plunge team participants adopt the attitude that it is mind over matter and get ready by creating fun team costumes. Teresa Contreras, Special Olympics regional volunteer manager, said she remembers the water temperature being “freezing” last year. “Cold is fine, but rain and wind are not our friends,” Contreras said. It is up to swimmers how far they go out in the chilly ocean and whether or not they submerge themselves. “We have a new category: ‘Too chicken to plunge,’ so people can still fundraise and come out and show support,” Hanna Ramsey, 12, of Poway, practices for the Polar Plunge Feb. 18 by jumping right in to the cold water Contreras said. near the Oceanside pier. Photo by Promise Yee
Polar Plunge participants are required to raise a minimum of $50 to support the Special Olympics. The annual event raises about $18,000 for year-round sports programs for mentally challenged athletes. “Funds pay for all of our programs, facilities, equipment, uniforms,” Contreras said. “Athletes don’t pay any money to be a part of our program.” To keep the Polar Plunge fun, trophies are awarded for the most funds raised, most plungers on a team and best team costumes. “In costumes we look for uniqueness,” Contreras said. “If it’s close we go by a crowd cheer.” Contreras said participants come back year after year because of the cause. “They know what the money is going toward,” she said. “I can’t imagine people love to jump in freezing TURN TO PLUNGE ON B14