SPONSORS
BLESSINGS
Platinum
The following are quotes from some of the cancer fighters who have been blessed by LaRena's Race:
Humboldt General Hospital Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office In Memory of Brian “Jimmy” Green Nevada Gold Mines Norco SSR Mining Marigold Bengoa Eye Care Sage Petroleum
Gold
Jeremy M Keener DDS Wolfsteller & Abrego Family Etcheverry’s Food Town/Lander Hardware Sage Petroleum AB Beck Plumbing
Silver
Quinn River Mercantile, Buddy & Delphine Howard, AMS Enterprises LLC, Winger’s Roadhouse, Small Mine Development LLC, Simplot Grower Solutions, Delong Construction, Keystone Veterinary Hospital, Merten’s Repair Shop, Wells Fargo Bank – Battle Mountain, Gibson Dental, Vera Smith Insurance, Point S Tire, Western Title, Next Level Fitness, Walmart, R Little Feet & Robert Padilla, Niki McQueary, Tutu Toppers, Carquest Holland Auto Parts, Lithium Nevada, Hunewill Construction
Helping Hands
Hycroft Resources and Development LLC, Judy Gillihan & Family, OK Tire, Echeto Construction, Lander Physical Therapy, Jim Dandy Productions/Diamond Storage, LBJ Enterprises, Dale & Marianna Enochson, Dakota Diesel, Les Schwab Tires, Jeanette Yturriondobeitia, Darlene Albisu, Dotti Souza, Bruce and Vickie Easterday
DRIVE THROUGH SIGN-UP MAY 1ST, 1 P.M. — Thankfully this year, with the help of Humboldt General Hospital, T-shirts created by ShirtShack Jen and goodie bags will be available at the French Ford Middle School parking lot in a drive-through at 1 p.m. Participants my also sign up on Facebook @larenasrace. Virtual participants can sign up on that page by selecting the link to Eventbrite. If participants prefer they can call (208) 484-0136 to sign up; checks can be mailed to La Rena’s Race, c/o Amorita Maher, PO Box 435, McDermitt, NV 89421.
Bengoa Run, Ride, Walk will take place virtually on May 8 Saturday, May 8, the 18th annual La Rena Smith Bengoa Run, Ride, or Walk for the Cure, also known as Larena’s Race, will take place as a virtual event for 2021. The fundraiser has been affected by the coronavirus, but organizers will not cancel, since needs for assistance continue. Thankfully this year, with the help of Humboldt General Hospital, T-shirts and goodie bags will be available for the first 350 participants at a drive through sign up on Saturday, May 1, at 1 pm, at the French Ford Middle School parking lot. Participants my also sign up on Facebook @larenasrace. Virtual participants can sign up on that page by selecting the link to Eventbrite. If participants prefer they can call 208 484 0136 to sign up; checks can be mailed to La Rena’s Race, c/o Amorita Maher, PO Box 435, McDermitt, NV 89421. Event organizers are hoping to do a celebration with participants, the public, and donors in the park, late summer or early fall, with food, fun and a silent
auction. Date will be set when restrictions have been lifted. So many people have contributed to the silent auction, but the wide range of items does not lend itself well to on line bidding, but will be a nice addition to celebration in the park. However, the traditional queen-size quilt sponsored by Jeannie McRae, sewn by Betty Lawrence and quilted by Di An Putnam is being raffled. Tickets can be purchased from Betty Lawrence, or Jeannie McRae. Purchasers can also mail a check requesting tickets to La Rena’s Race, c/o OK Tire, 750 West Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445. Cost is $5 each, or 5 tickets for $20. There will be an online auction of special items: rawhide reins braided by Tim Maher; a piece of furniture crafted by Josh Harrer, a Mother’s day basket and Pampered Chef items donated by Kevin Kern, and boys and girls bicycles donated by Walmart. Those will be on the Facebook platform.
Many people don’t realize that fighting cancer becomes a family fight and there are countless small expenses that begin to mount up. Your generosity has made it possible to cover some of them and help us out tremendously. I will be using this money to pay for my medications, travel back and forth to Reno and Lodging in Reno.
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The money has come at a very good time. I have decided to pay $500 on the Chemo bill, $500 on my cancer doctor bill, $500 to be used on my credit card I use to cover my travel expenses going back and forth to the doctors.
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“Words cannot express my gratitude for your financial help and the emotional support your group and our community has shown me. I consider myself blessed to have such a compassionate organization and friends who have come forward when I need them. I am grateful and humbled by the organization that was formed in her (LaRena’s) memory”
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“ God bless you all and this wonderful cause. God gives he hardest battles to his toughest soldiers.”
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“We were absolutely dumbfounded when my husband’s doctor said he had cancer at 32 years old!.... (He) had surgery to remove his kidney, lymph nodes and adrenal gland…..We live paycheck to paycheck most months, so your generous donation really relieved so much stress. We cannot thank you enough.”
REGISTER ONLINE AT LARENASRACE.ORG OR CALL (208) 484-0136 | FACEBOOK.COM/LARENASRACE/
TASTE OF HOPE COOKBOOKS In 2019, as a way to supplement funds raised by our yearly cancer walk, we created a cook book called, The Taste of Hope, A Cancer Fighter’s Cookbook. The recipes are from team members and their family and friends, near and far. To date, we have sold 425 copies of the binderstyle cookbook, and there about 20 left in this batch. In 2020 Lisa Scott and her Lowry High School Yearbook class, designed our first insert for the cook book which contained 100 more recipes. These inserts contain four memory pages of people we have lost to cancer. The insert is called “Cook more, eat more, live stronger!” It is hole-punched and ready to slip into the original cookbook binder. We hope to do another insert in the fall of 2021, so be sure and watch for it.
Cookbooks and inserts can be purchased at Weezie’s Kitchen Gadgets: Cookbooks, $20; inserts $7.50; Cookbooks with insert $25. You can also or contact Amorita Maher, 208 484 0136, for information, or to add a loved – one to be remembered in the next insert.
SILENT AUCTION Delphine Tinney and LaDonna Peluaga are waiting patiently for the opportunity to display their auction items. It is not that they don’t have items collected, and all available spaces filled with amazing donations to their popular auction; it is just not the same unless buyers can see items up close, place their bid, and then watch throughout day as suspense builds, and competition flares. Delphine and LaDonna have organized their collections into baskets which will be available for raffle or bid when we gather for a celebration in the late summer or fall.
MIRACLE JAR CAMPAIGN Like so many things in this year of extended Corona Virus precautions, our Miracle Jar campaign has suffered. Help us invigorate this campaign, which in the past has raised over $1,500 a year, enough to aide one cancer warrior. There are still 30 actual “Miracle Jars” distributed throughout Humboldt and Lander counties. So when you visit a local business, take notice, and if you see a jar, drop in some extra coins. Please keep a jar available at home. You can use something you have on hand, or pick up a jar from Jeannie McRae, at OK Tire. If your jar is full, please deliver to Jeannie and start over. Remember miracles begin with small, generous gestures.
Rustic table from Josh Harrer
Five items will also be available on the Facebook auction: Braided rawhide reins from Tim Maher; Rustic furniture from Josh Harrer; Longaberger Basket with Pampered Chef items from Kevin Kern; and 2 boys/girls bikes donated by Walmart. For information contact Ashley Buckingham (775) 304-8814, or Mary Bengoa (775) 374-0900. For details on the auction and to bid on items, visit facebook.com/larenasrace/
Bikes donated by Walmart Braided rawhide reins by Tim Maher
did you know —
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All proceeds from donors, race participants, raffle and auction go to help Humboldt and Lander County residents who are undergoing cancer treatment. Over the last 18 years, the group has helped about 310 individuals and dispersed over $370,000. The La Rena’s Race team and the event itself is all about honor and hope, turning feelings of fear, sadness and frustration into an active way to fight cancer. The event and the proceeds change people’s lives, giving hope and reassurance to those affected that there is help, understanding and a life forward after the big “C” diagnosis.
Applications for assistance are available by visiting larenasrace.org.
For more information, or to pre-register, visit larenasrace.org
Diagnosis brings uncertainty, but also blessings It is easy to assume how we would feel or act if we got a frightening diagnosis, such as cancer, but when asked how it affected her, Diane Klassen noted that before her diagnosis, her life was full of anxiety and worry. The cancer finding put these feelings into perspective and things that had seemed so overwhelming faded into the background while appreciation of the most important things in life became her primary focus. Diane currently serves as the manager of Humboldt General Hospital’s Medical Imaging Department where she has had the opportunity to perform all types of imaging exams on patients screening for cancer, checking treatment results and sometimes watching them succumb to cancer. One would think in this situation, the possibility of having the disease oneself would be an ever present concern; however, like most people, Diane has been busy as a wife to James, mother to Cody, Hailey, Garrett, Danny, Luke, Jake and Courtney and Grandmother to Brooke. Like most people, she didn’t picture it happening to her, until it did. While this new outlook contains many blessings, Diane has also had to adjust to some daily changes. She was used to be being a caregiver, the family worrier, and ultimately in control. As the reality of her situation became more clear, she has had to let go of some of the control of her life, knowing that her situation may change at any time without reason. She has also had to learn to allow others to care for her which has been a struggle many people in similar situations can relate to. Some of the hardest challenges in life come with the greatest rewards and while we all want the outcome without the struggle, it is the hardships that make the survival so sweet. A silver lining in Diane’s illness has been that her family has come closer together than ever before. She feels overwhelmed by the support that her family has not only received from the outside, but have been able to provide to one another. They have grown stronger and closer as a
Planning for the unplannable By Cody Bengoa
family and will come through this more connected than before. Outside of her family, Diane has found strength and support from friends and coworkers. From delivering cooked meals for her family while she recovered from significant surgery, to providing her a listening ear and shoulder to cry on, they have been available to her in a way she never expected and never knew she needed. She has been stunned by the care, generosity and genuine concern. Many people who have experienced cancer themselves may be familiar with Diane’s experience, and some may remember the time of diagnosis and early treatments very differently. Everyone’s journey is different and how they cope, proceed, and progress is unique to each individual. The one thing they all share is being suddenly faced with their own mortality. While approaches and reactions may be different, the challenge is real. Supporting fighters of cancer, in whatever form that may be, is a rewarding opportunity. Through LaRena’s race, we have the blessing to help community members suffering from cancer through financial means, even though anyone who has supported someone navigating the trauma of the disease knows that that is only a portion of what is often needed. A hug, a cup of coffee, a ride to an appointment or a listening ear can be equally valuable and appreciated. LaRena’s Race is grateful for the small role we play in supporting our community and we hope the fighters in our community know we are rooting for them!
This May marks 20 years since my aunt LaRena Smith Bengoa passed away from breast cancer, and we’re very fortunate in our community to have a group of hard-working and dedicated volunteers to carry on her name and help others through the LaRena Smith Bengoa Run, Ride or Walk for the Cure. We’re also blessed with amazing donors who give generously each year to aid local cancer fighters in our area. I didn’t anticipate becoming a cancer fighter myself, but last year I was diagnosed with a rare type of sinus cancer. I’m doing well now, but since then I’ve had two surgeries, five 3-day cycles of chemo, and am finishing six weeks of radiation. I wouldn’t recommend having a health c risis during a pandemic, but nobody could plan for such events in their lives. I don’t now presume to be an expert in this area, but just want to offer advice for others concerning things I’ve done and wish I would have done to better prepare myself for the unpredictable events that are bound to occur during one’s lifetime. There are some things within our control that we can focus on. Here’s what I recommend: 1. Be grateful. Even though, when given a difficult medical diagnosis, it’s difficult to see the bright side of things, it could always be worse. Focusing on ways in which your life is blessed can help to keep it all in perspective. Keeping faith that your persistence and determination to get you to the other side of it will carry you through the difficult days.
2. When verifying with your insurance company whether your doctor or clinic is contracted with them, especially prior to significantly costly procedures, get their answer in writing if at all possible. Always write down the date, time, and name of the person at your insurance company with whom you spoke. 3. If it’s recommended that you have a major surgical procedure, if you’re able, seek advice from at least 2-3 surgeons to confirm that they all agree on your type of surgery and the way in which it will be performed. 4. During and shortly after chemotherapy, you may only want to lie on the couch or floor, but that won’t make you feel any better. If you’re able, at least go out for a walk and get moving. It will help to work out the chemo from your healthy cells and you’ll have a faster recovery from it. 5. Being required to be away from home and work for radiation treatment for extended periods of time is tough. Save 3 months’ worth of living expenses (6 months’ would be better) to be able to use in case you find yourself without a job or having to take medical leave for yourself or a loved one for an extended period of time. 6. Seek advice from others who have gone through your condition. Survivors can help guide you through the cancer treatment process. Search for local, national, and international groups on social media if you must. 7. Stay as healthy as possible to bounce back from whatever life throws at you. I’m grateful for our local CrossFit gym that has kept me active with the mindset that I’ll just show up and do my best with whatever is thrown at me that day. I hope you’ll never need to use this advice, but in the United States about 40% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetime, and most of us know someone who has been touched by this disease, so do what you can now to prepare for events such as this.
TRADITIONAL QUILT RAFFLE PURCHASE TICKETS BY MAY 7
Jeannie McRae and Betty Lawrence have been able to keep the tradition of raffling a queen-size quilt every year going for as long as the team can remember. This year it is a beautiful blend of blues and purples and reflects the many hours of work and love, not only for the craft of quilting, but also for our organization. Tickets can be purchased at OK Tire (750 W. Winnemucca Blvd) by May 7. Many thanks to Jeannie, Betty and Di An Putnam.
For more information, or to pre-register, visit larenasrace.org
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