Fundraiser
Hemphill Raises More than $4,700
For Cancer Research and Aid
By
Rabita Aziz (October 16, 2004)
Senior
Nora Hemphill, along
with other members of the Falls Church community, raised more than
$4,700 as a result of a fundraiser for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society at
Stacey’s Coffee Shop on Sunday September 26. This money went towards
Nora’s sponsorship of four-year-old cancer patient Leah Holdcraft at
the "Light the Night Walk" held October 2 at Reston Town Center. Leah
was diagnosed with A.L.L., the most common form of leukemia, at 20
months of age. Since then she has gone through chemotherapy, which
caused the cancer to go into remission. She then underwent a stem cell
transplant after the cancer returned, and since then she has been doing
well.
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The
"Light the Night Walk" is
an annual two-mile walk, which takes place at Reston, Loudoun, and D.C.
The many thousands of people who attend are divided into teams, which
raise money for a particular cancer patient. Nora, along with other
members of her group, needed to raise about $30,000, 76% of which will
go directly to patients and research facilities.
Nora
herself especially feels
for the cause of cancer research, as she is a former cancer sufferer
herself. Seventeen-year-old Hemphill was diagnosed with liver cancer
right after her 16th birthday on August 11, 2003. In January
of that year Nora began to notice major physical changes, including
weight gain at a rapid pace, although she tried to maintain her weight
by vigorous diet and exercise.
She
finally became extremely
concerned during a Habitat for Humanity trip to Kentucky in the summer
of 2003, when she gained 10 pounds in a single week, and her feet
swelled up so much that she was not able to wear shoes. She then had a
CAT scan at which point a large tumor near her pelvis was discovered.
At Sloan-Kettering, a cancer hospital in New York, the doctors took a
piece of the tumor for a biopsy, and at first they believed it was
ovarian cancer, and later, after many second opinions, it was
determined that Nora had liver cancer.
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Nora Hemphill takes
a break from selling her baked
foods to spend some time with the person being
honored at the event, four-year-old Leah Holdcraft.
(photo by Pat Meyer)
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During
this time Hemphill was
undergoing chemotherapy, which caused the tumor to shrink, as well as
cause weight and hair loss. She then went through two successful, yet
grueling surgeries, the first of which was delayed due to the New York
blackout. The first surgery lasted seven hours, and with the second the
remainder of the tumor was removed. She then had more chemotherapy to
kill the remaining tumor. She is now on maintenance drugs, and will
have another CAT scan to see if all is well.
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Although
Nora Hemphill has
gone through such a seemingly devastating experience to most people,
her attitude and outlook on life would express otherwise. "It’s taught
me to be a lot more positive," she explained, although many would argue
that she was quite an optimistic person before this whole ordeal. "You
just have to suck it up and get through it," she said. She explained
that at first she was very sad because she knew that she would not be
able to have children, then quickly said she would rather adopt anyway.
"Asian babies are cuter," she said.
She
also explained how her
relationship with her parents has grown, as well as her relationships
with her friends. Nora said, "I know my friends will always be there
for me." She also said that her perspective has changed in that she "no
longer cares much about the little things. It’s made me appreciate life
a lot more." She also explained that the school has been "really great
and accommodating."
Nora,
being the congenial
person she is, went on to talk about Leah Holdcraft, who she described
as a "little fireball," and the other young cancer patients at Fairfax
Clinic. She explained that many of the kids love the hospital and never
want to leave. "Seeing all these little kids, this life is what they’re
used to, because they haven’t seen anything else. They don’t know what
they’re missing, and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing," she
explained. She also said that the kids are always very happy, and they
talk in a very matter-of-fact manner. She also said that the nurses and
doctors are all very hardworking, one nurse at Fairfax Clinic in
particular.
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Event
organizer senior Nora Hemphill mans her own
homemade baked goods as school board member
Kieran Sharpe fills out a raffle ticket for a free video
rental from Hollywood Video. (photo by Pat Meyer)
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The
fundraiser at Stacey’s
Coffee Shop, with great contributions from the community as well as
Stacey Moot, owner of Stacey’s, featured many different aspects, such
as Nora’s famous baked goods, and a silent auction. In the silent
auction, about 20 different items of a wide range were up for grabs,
many from individuals, such as the Acosta family which donated a party
for the highest bidder. There were also many gift certificates from
local establishments up for auction.
There
was a steady stream of
people who were in and out of the whole event, which lasted about five
hours. They not only enjoyed Nora’s cooking, but local baking
aficionado Kendell Barrett’s as well, who made cookies and muffins.
Nora herself made about forty loaves of pumpkin and banana bread, along
with other items. Patrons were also able to read information about
leukemia set up in many different stalls throughout Stacey’s as they
listened to music. All in all, more than $4200 was raised, with many
personal donations, making up the grand total.
Tell us
what you think.
E-mail lassogmhs@hotmail.com
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