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Local resident joins fight against cancer
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@acnpapers.com
In order to combat feelings of powerlessness, one area resident channeled her energy into volunteering.
When Cassandra Hayes’ father, Richard Hayes, was diagnosed with lung cancer in September she said she instantly felt helpless. She watched as he endured chemotherapy treatments, surgeries and radiation. Through all of it, Hayes realized that there wasn’t anything she could do until she began researching volunteering options.
“When my father was diagnosed with lung cancer, I instantly felt helpless. I immediately jumped into volunteering with the LUNGevity Foundation to help raise money, awareness and participate in a 5K in DFW where all the proceeds go toward finding the cure for lung cancer,” Hayes said. “This cause has become a driving passion in my life, and I will continue to fight for the hundreds of thousands of grandparents, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who are affected by cancer every year.”
“I wanted to be able to make a difference so I put together a team. We call ourselves ‘Running for Richard,’” Hayes said. “We ended up having the biggest team at the event and raised $4,000 just from our team. My dad’s chemo was so intense that he couldn’t come to the walk, but he was touched that so many people walked for him.”
Through her involvement with the LUNGevity Foundation, Hayes also became involved with LIVESTRONG the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which strives to help people affected by cancer. Hayes, along with other members of LIVESTRONG, were scheduled to meet with Texas legislators to advocate for funding for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and legislation for smoke-free workplaces across Texas.
“Unfortunately, because of the ice storm, I wasn’t able to go, but I hope there is another chance to go to Austin and speak,” Hayes said. “I think this is an important message that our legislators need to hear.”
Hayes said even though she wasn’t able to travel to Austin, she will continue to stay involved with LIVESTRONG and fight for cancer awareness.
“LIVESTRONG rallies for clean air, and I feel so strongly about people’s right to clean air. Having clean air is not something we should have to think about, it should just be available to everyone,” Hayes said. “My dad can’t even go into restaurants with smoking sections because the smoke is still in the air. I really want to help my dad and others through volunteering with these organizations.”
Hayes the first step to taking a stand for clean air is to be aware of the issue.
“I was guilty of just not being aware of this issue. I wasn’t aware that lung cancer was a big deal for nonsmokers,” Hayes said. “However, a huge percentage of people with lung cancer have never smoked. I think people need to know that they’re putting other people’s lives in danger.”
Hayes said the next step is to get involved in an organization that you feel strongly about.
“It really brings things into perspective when you have a cause to fight for,” Hayes said. “My family sometimes talks about my dad’s diagnosis being one of the best things to happen because he really realized what’s important in life. It brought our family together, but no one should have to go through this.”
For right now, Richard Hayes is cancer free after completing radiation, chemotherapy and surgeries. However, every month he has to get check-ups from his doctor. Hayes said even though her father is in radiation, she plans to participate in the 2011 DFW Walk for LUNGevity.
“I’ll start another team for my dad for the November walk,” Hayes said. “I want to raise as much money as I can. In fact, I plan to do this walk every year.”
Registration for the 2011 DFW Walk for LUNGevity will begin at 10 a.m. and the walk/fun run will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday Nov. 12 at River Legacy Park, 703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd. in Arlington. The fees to participate in the walk are $20 for patients/survivors, $25 for adults and $10 for children 13 years old and younger. Satellite participants must pay $25 and register by Oct. 1.
For information visit www.lungevity.org.
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