(Also printed in the Ukiah Daily Journal on 2/23/07)
People often walk through the doors of the Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County (CRCMC) with questions. Many of these are related to helping a loved one go through the journey that comes with a cancer diagnosis. “What can I do to assist? How can I comfort him/her? How can I try to understand what this person is going through?” These questions are very typical for anyone who is confronted with a sick loved one, whether the diagnosis is cancer or not. As employees of CRCMC, we are privileged to witness the point where such questions extend past the individual struggle with cancer. After assisting with the care of their own loved one, some former caregivers are called to reach beyond into their community. For some, this may mean giving to other people who are living with cancer or caregiving. For others, it becomes a personal vow to prevent the emergence of cancer before it starts. Recently, a gentleman walked through our doors demonstrating the compassion to do both.
Four years ago, Adam Gaska had a friend who was diagnosed with testicular cancer. As a side effect of the chemotherapy treatments he was undergoing, Adam’s friend began to lose his hair. In order to share the experience of hair loss with his friend, Adam decided to completely shave his head during that time. After that point, Adam made the decision to let his hair continue growing, with the ultimate goal of donating a sizeable amount of it to an organization called Locks of Love.
Locks of Love is a nationally-recognized non-profit organization that uses donated human hair to make hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children who suffer from long-term hair loss due to medical conditions. It takes a minimum of 10 inches of donated human hair for Locks of Love to successfully create a wig of ample length.
After two and a half years of growing his hair, Adam finally came into the Ukiah office of CRCMC, where a staff member cut roughly 14 inches of his hair for donation. Meanwhile, CRCMC’s executive director recalled that hair wasn’t the only thing Adam had a passion for growing. He had participated for the last two years as an organic farmer involved with CRCMC’s signature inland fundraising event, Pure Mendocino. Running from August 24-26, 2007, the goals of Pure Mendocino are to promote a healthy environment and community, organic farming, and sustainable living.
Aside from Adam’s experience with his friend, roughly half of his family members have had cancer. He attributes this high incidence to pesticide exposure during their time as farm workers in the Silicon Valley. As a result, Adam has developed strong convictions of lessening exposure to toxins in the community, ideals which are consistent with the practices of Pure Mendocino. Keeping in touch with his family’s farming roots, Adam currently raises meat animals in Mendocino County in conjunction with Frey Vineyards. His farm is certified organic and biodynamic.
Additionally, Adam previously volunteered with the Five-a-Day program to advocate for the consumption of organic foods within Mendocino County. He states, “When people go to the store and buy food, they often think about the cost that’s externalized. But, the cost of getting cancer is much worse than paying a little more for organic food.” It’s clear that Adam is steadfast in his fight to reduce cancer-causing agents in Mendocino County.
If you or your loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, or if you would like more information about helping those in your community who are, the Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County are available to assist you. All services are provided free of charge from offices located in Ukiah and Mendocino, where you will find a comfortable place to sit, relax, and be listened to. A grassroots nonprofit organization, CRCMC’s mission is to improve the quality of life of those faced with cancer in Mendocino County by providing a wide range of information, support, and advocacy. The Ukiah office is located on South Dora Street, and can be reached at 467-3828 from 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Thursday, and Friday by appointment. The Mendocino office is located on Calpella Street in Mendocino, and can be reached at 937-3833 from 8:30am - 4:30 pm, Monday-Thursday, and Friday by appointment.
(Also printed in the Ukiah Daily Journal on 2/23/07) |
