Aug. 14--The community is pulling together to help two Rocklin siblings who share an unwanted bond.
Nick Bresnyan, 26, and his sister, Melana Bresnyan, 19, each have a form of cancer. Both have battled the disease, side by side, during the past year.
"It's just heartbreaking," said Suzi Baxter, who attends the same church as the Bresnyans. "To have one family at one time with two children with cancer is devastating. We're just watching for God and praying."
Residents also are taking matters in their own hands to help the family with mounting medical bills and transportation costs to hospitals. A fund has been established at a local bank. Fliers about the family's situation are posted at area coffee shops that are taking collections, and other businesses have stepped up by donating services, food and funds.
Baxter said members of Community Covenant Church in Rocklin have raised about $15,000 so far. Next month, a communitywide fundraiser -- including live entertainment at the Placer County Fairgrounds -- will help meet a $30,000 goal.
"The church and the community have really been a blessing," said the father, Dave Bresnyan, a general contractor who has had difficulty finding work.
Family and friends talk about the Bresnyan siblings' winning attitude, infectious sense of humor and dedication to helping others.
Nick Bresnyan, a custodian for the Rocklin Unified School District, learned to make jewelry for friends and acquaintances after two malignant tumors were found in his spine in August 2007. Tumors first appeared in Nick Bresnyan's body nine years ago as germinoma brain cancer.
"He gives necklaces and earrings to encourage doctors, nurses and caregivers that life is awesome, despite the suffering that people sometimes encounter," Dave Bresnyan said.
At 19, Melana Bresnyan, a Rocklin High School graduate, is studying at Sierra College. She was diagnosed in February with Hodgkin's lymphoma and has one more month of chemotherapy.
Dave Bresnyan said before his daughter's hair began to fall out from the medical treatment, she cut her hair for a donation to Locks of Love, which provides wigs for children suffering from hair loss due to a long-term medical condition. The teenager and some friends later had a haircut party, at which she trimmed her hair into a mohawk, he said.
"I have been so taken aback and so encouraged by their attitude and their spirit," Dave Bresnyan said.
After leading the Sierra College Wolverines this year to their first baseball state championship, pitcher Cameron Ray will pursue a kinesiology degree at Sonoma State University.
Ray, 20, a former Roseville High School student, also plans to chase his dream of playing professional baseball. That's been his goal since age 5.
"I've always known that I wanted to go pro," said Ray, who was named the state championships "Most Valuable Player" and the Big 8 Conference "Pitcher of the Year."
Ray will play next for the Sonoma State University Seawolves, according to a news release.
Ray earned All-American honors while at Sierra College. He credits his athletic counselors and head coach Ray Willson with guiding him down the right path.
"He is someone who fights for every player, and I looked up to him," Ray said of his coach. "He became my hero and someone to remember."
Willson inspired Ray to consider coaching college baseball someday. Ray's future goals also include obtaining a master's degree from California State University, Sacramento.
The Placer County Deputy Sheriff's Association has awarded $1,000 scholarships to seven students from Placer County for the 2008 school year.
Winners of a James B. Machado Memorial Scholarship are: --Kayla Pepper, daughter of probation officer Dea Pepper, attends California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is expected to graduate in 2009. She maintains a 3.6 grade-point average as a nutrition major. Pepper volunteers for the community's Meals on Wheels and Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs. --Bryan C. North, son of Deputy Sheriff Lynn Carlton, served in the U.S. Air Force before being honorably discharged. He attends Sierra Community College, where he maintains a 3.7 grade-point average, and plans to transfer to San Francisco State University to major in creative writing and film production. --Charlie Henry, daughter of Deputy Sheriff Frank Domeier, attends Calvary Chapel Bible College in Siegen, Germany. Henry participated in missions to England, Mexico and Ireland. --Breanna Canclini, daughter of probation officer Randy Canclini, attends Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. A member of the university's softball team, she plans to graduate in 2009 with a bachelor of science in psychology and a minor in physical education. --Logan Hunt, son of Deputy Sheriff Dave Hunt, attends California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he majors in general engineering with a minor in business finance. Hunt maintains a 3.96 grade-point average and is on the dean's list.
Winners of the Rick Meredith Memorial scholarships are: --Haley Burmer, daughter of Sheriff's Sgt. Helen Thomson, is a 2008 graduate of North Tahoe High School with a grade-point average of 3.99. Burmer will attend University of California, Davis, in the fall to major in animal science. During high school, she was involved in volleyball, wind ensemble and jazz band. --Russell Bettencourt, son of Deputy Sheriff Laurie Bettencourt, is a 2007 graduate of Del Oro High School and a 2008 graduate of Blair Academy in New Jersey through the West Point Civil Preparatory Scholarship program. Bettencourt entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June and plans to major in mechanical engineering and military science for a career in the Army. To see more of The Sacramento Bee, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sacbee.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sacramento Bee, Calif.