Sep. 2--To say Virginia Kong has been impacted by cancer would be an understatement -- it's taken nine of her family members, including her husband, parents and her brother.
She has also survived two bouts of thyroid cancer.
Still, with an indomitable spirit, Kong said she refuses to give in to the disease -- and she believes a cure will be found. "I just have faith we can do it," beamed Kong. "I believe with God's help there isn't anything you can't do."
Kong's spirit epitomized the emotions felt by a crowd that included a dozen cancer survivors -- and those who have lost loved ones to the disease -- who gathered Monday near 16th and Canal streets to meet the American Cancer Society's Fight Back Express bus.
The bus, which is sponsored by the society's Cancer Action Network, is in the midst of a six- month nationwide tour of 48 states to highlight the role that elected officials can play in supporting laws and policies to fight cancer.
Volunteers with the society had Sharpie markers on hand for attendees to write messages to loved ones and elected officials on the vinyl covering of the bus.
The role of the bus is also to spread awareness about cancer and encourage early detection through checkups. "We all know someone who has had cancer or has died from it," said JR Fujita, advocacy coordinator for the California Division of the American Cancer Society.
The group also collected petitions from attendees, asking elected officials to approve more federal funding for cancer research.
Merced County Supervisor John Pedrozo, who announced in July that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, said his own experience with the disease has caused him to urge everyone to visit their doctor for routine checks. "Until it hits you, you don't really know," Pedrozo said.
Pedrozo said he had also met with many people affected by prostate cancer since he was diagnosed. Thanks to new technology, Pedrozo said more people are surviving the disease. "They are living a normal life after it's been detected," Pedrozo said.
California is the 38th state the bus has visited on its tour, which will continue through Election Day. The bus kicked off its tour in Cleveland in May.
To find out more about the Fight Back Express, visit www.acscan.org.
Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com. To see more of the Merced Sun-Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mercedsunstar.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Merced Sun-Star, 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 Merced Sun-Star, Calif.