Sutherlin community raises $3,100 for woman with cancer
SUTHERLIN -- A 21-year-old Sutherlin cancer patient recently received $3,100, money generated during two Graffiti Weekend fund-raisers this month.
The fund-raisers consisted of a truck show and a poker run, and were organized by the Purple Foot Gang of Sutherlin. Dick Calafato, a member of the group and owner of All State Real Estate, said he's pleased his community showed such compassion toward helping Jolene Coleman.
"It was a wonderful community effort," he said. "We're really happy to put that money back in her bank account."
A year ago, Coleman was diagnosed with myxoid skeletal chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Since then, she's had her right arm amputated at the shoulder and she's endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy.
Calafato said Coleman is now back at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland, where she is expected to remain for about six weeks. As soon as she's well enough, she will receive a bone marrow transplant. The operation will require her and her mother, Connie, to live in Portland for a few months to be near the hospital.
The money generated from the fund-raisers will help alleviate some of the financial burden on Coleman and her family. Coleman is unable to work right now and her mother, Connie, has a part-time job. Health insurance has covered the surgery and treatments, but not all expenses related to Coleman's battle against cancer.
In a previous article in The News-Review, Coleman said she appreciates everything the community has done to help her.
"I am so happy," she said. "I couldn't get my transplant without it. It's going to save my life for real. It's really going to help us."
Coleman had attended both fund-raisers -- which featured 72 vehicles in the poker run and 48 trucks in the truck show. Money was raised through entry fees and the selling of food, 300 T-shirts and raffle tickets for prizes.
Calafato said he was impressed by Coleman's positive attitude and wonderful spirit. He said he's also glad the community took such a vested interest in Coleman -- as shown by the Sutherlin High School basketball team, who worked the concession stand, and the numerous donations by Douglas County residents and businesses.
These contributions, he said, helped make the fund-raiser a success.
"It's great to have the community back this thing the way they did," he said. "I couldn't be more pleased."
* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
The fund-raisers consisted of a truck show and a poker run, and were organized by the Purple Foot Gang of Sutherlin. Dick Calafato, a member of the group and owner of All State Real Estate, said he's pleased his community showed such compassion toward helping Jolene Coleman.
"It was a wonderful community effort," he said. "We're really happy to put that money back in her bank account."
A year ago, Coleman was diagnosed with myxoid skeletal chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Since then, she's had her right arm amputated at the shoulder and she's endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy.
Calafato said Coleman is now back at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland, where she is expected to remain for about six weeks. As soon as she's well enough, she will receive a bone marrow transplant. The operation will require her and her mother, Connie, to live in Portland for a few months to be near the hospital.
The money generated from the fund-raisers will help alleviate some of the financial burden on Coleman and her family. Coleman is unable to work right now and her mother, Connie, has a part-time job. Health insurance has covered the surgery and treatments, but not all expenses related to Coleman's battle against cancer.
In a previous article in The News-Review, Coleman said she appreciates everything the community has done to help her.
"I am so happy," she said. "I couldn't get my transplant without it. It's going to save my life for real. It's really going to help us."
Coleman had attended both fund-raisers -- which featured 72 vehicles in the poker run and 48 trucks in the truck show. Money was raised through entry fees and the selling of food, 300 T-shirts and raffle tickets for prizes.
Calafato said he was impressed by Coleman's positive attitude and wonderful spirit. He said he's also glad the community took such a vested interest in Coleman -- as shown by the Sutherlin High School basketball team, who worked the concession stand, and the numerous donations by Douglas County residents and businesses.
These contributions, he said, helped make the fund-raiser a success.
"It's great to have the community back this thing the way they did," he said. "I couldn't be more pleased."
* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
