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Local Fund Provides Financial Relief to Young Cancer Survivors
June, 2005 - Issue #8
Figure skating instructor and cancer survivor Emily Weirich works with one of her students, Farid Adibe
Figure skating instructor and cancer survivor Emily Weirich works with one of her students, Farid Adibe
While the first words out of the doctor's mouth were, "This will not kill you," the experience was very frightening. At age 18, Emily Weirich was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. She had her thyroid removed and received a clean bill of health until she turned 23, when the cancer came back. Far from her family and friends and had difficulty managing her part-time job as a figure-skating coach while dealing with the cancer treatment and the subsequent financial burden created by her illness.

"I was trying to figure out how to not quit the job I loved to go and get a job that I only liked," Emily said. "I've always been the person who pursues things that I want to do."

A social worker at the American Cancer Society referred Emily to the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF), which was exactly the answer she needed. BMCF is a local nonprofit that provides financial relief to cancer victims between 18 and 40 years old. Emily downloaded an application from the website, requested help to cover her medical co-payments, and faxed it to the fund. Eight days later, she was notified that the fund would be paying for her COBRA payments and other bills.

By the end of the following month, Emily got the results from a body scan. It was clean. Just a few months later - in January 2005 - Emily moved into another position at work which gave her full-time status and health benefits, making her even more grateful that BMCF got her through the temporary crunch.

On Saturday, May 21, Emily will attend the Santa Clarita Valley Jaycees "Fight It!" 5K Race and Walk-a-Thon, which will be held at the Promenade at Town Center near the intersection of McBean and Magic Mountain parkways. This fourth-annual event raises money for the BMCF. Emily will not only participate by walking in the fundraiser, but she will welcome all attendees and share her story.

"I hate the fact that BMCF has to exist but I am so glad it does," she said.

Emily is happy to speak on behalf of the BMCF and finds it helpful to share her experiences. While cancer has changed her perspective on life, it has not changed her goals and dreams. She emphasized that others in her situation should also "set out to do what they want to do." She also encourages her young friends to obtain health insurance.

"No insurance companies will take you when you've had cancer," Emily said. "I am the first one in my group of friends to get cancer, but I know I won't be the last. That is scary."

Founded in 2001 by Brenda Mehling and Kieran Wong, along with the help of the Santa Clarita Valley Jaycees, the BMCF has donated more than $50,000 to patients just like Emily.

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For more information about the fund, visit http://www.bmcf.net/index.htm.
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