HOPE. That is what all of you who have participated and donated have given us the last two years.  You have given us the ability to pursue every treatment available and for that we are truly thankful.  We honestly believe that without this ability, Laura’s body would not be capable of receiving the numerous treatments she has over the last 4 years.  Doctors have commented on this several times over the years and we attribute it to the supplements, hyperbaric treatments, Vitamin C treatments, colonics, coffee enemas, Weston A. Price and organic diet, etc. that this race helps provide.

This is what everyone’s generosity has provided for Laura over the past 2 years.  So we decided to do it once again…and our goals are now a bit more lofty.  We want to not only help Laura, but also begin to lay the groundwork for a foundation whose charge is educating those in treatment about all we have learned throughout our journey.  Preparing the body to fight the cancer AND the destructive affects of chemotherapy  through alternative means.  Creating a foundation that one day might not only educate, but provide means for people to have access to all the treatments that you have blessed us with the ability to pursue.  That is our charge, and with your help it will become a reality.

Laura Vickers was originally diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer on February 28th, 2007 while her son Gavin was just 6 months old and still breastfeeding.  She endured chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, followed by targeted therapies until June of 2008 when she was thought to be cancer free.  In November of 2008 it was discovered that the cancer had metastasized to her liver in the form of a 5cm tumor as well as her lymphatic system.  Since the re-diagnosis, Laura and her family have ridden the roller coaster of success and setbacks.  The first combo of Xeloda and Tykerb reduced the tumor to 2.5cm and the lymphatic system looked clear, but then it failed in March of 2009.  The clinical trial of Herceptin, Taxol and Everolimus (RAD001) also worked briefly thereafter, but soon failed in December of 2009.  In January 2010, she started Insulin Potentiation Therapy for 2 months, but it had no effect on her cancer and it spread once again to her chest and back and the tumor reached a size of 9cm.  From April though August Herceptin and Navelbine reduced the tumor temporarily but then it reached more than 10cm.  Currently, she is as hopeful as ever, and has started another new treatment of a clinical trial called TDM-1.  The first results were dramatic, reducing the tumor to 3.9cm, then to 3.4, and the latest results are stable.  Once again they are researching back up plans, just in case.

Since Laura’s fight began many of us have been right along side her in spirit. We’ve been reading her blog and wondering what we can do to help her. If there’s one thing that Laura loves to do besides spend time with her husband, Travis and their children, it’s running. So we thought what better way to show Laura how much we care than organize a 5K run to raise money and help pay down her mounting medical bills and provide opportunities for therapies to help her cope with the traditional treatments she is receiving.

So we are inviting everyone to participate in “Ray of Life Race 2011 5K — A Fund of Hope For Laura Vickers” on May 7th at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. If you cannot run but would like to help, any donation large or small will be greatly appreciated.  That evening we are planning an event with silent auction, raffle, and a little celebration of all the generosity.

There are many ways to help:

1.  Participate in the run -  please follow the link to the sign-up page.

2.  Set up a fundraising page - please follow the link to the sign-up page.

3.  Corporate Sponsorship - please contact the organizer.

4.  Make a donation - please click the donate button in the sidebar on the left.

5.  Donate an item for the silent auction or raffle - please contact the organizer.

6.  Volunteer - please contact the organizer.