Cancer

Amy R. Spurgeon LAGUNA NIGUEL -- Monday's death of OCC math professor Sandra Savage has created an irreplaceable void, say family members, colleagues and students who knew her. Savage succumbed to bone cancer in a Laguna Hills nursing home after a 2.5-year battle with the disease. She was 62. "Even more than her intellect was her heart and caring for others," said husband Steven Savage. The two would have celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary this year.

Born in Buffalo, New York November 19, 1939   Joanie passed away in her home on Balboa Island, March 25th after a 2 year long hard battle with invasive cancer.  She had been with Balboa Island Realty and Coldwell Banker for many years. Joan was very involved with the Balboa Island Improvement Association. Chairman of just about everything from being the Head Photogher at any and every event, beautification committee, helping start the Balboa Island Historical Museum, and one of her favorites was   Christmas.

Deepa Bharath Aria. It was the perfect name for that little girl whose life ended on a high note. Like a beautiful, rich, sweet melody, she touched many hearts, placated their senses and left them yearning for more. Those who knew Aria best have a hard time describing her. All they know is they'll do whatever it takes to get her back. She was only 10. If the cancer that repeatedly ravaged her body had let her live one more month, she would've been 11. Aria was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 3. Doctors, at the time, believed that she had the curable kind of cancer.

Heavy cancer treatment is known for causing hair loss, and Tommy Conforti was no exception. But his friends in school didn’t want him to feel alone, so a group of Newport Elementary fifth-graders got together and submitted to the clippers. Over a single weekend, more than 20 of his classmates went out and got buzz cuts, which they called a way to make him feel more comfortable while enduring tough medical treatment. Tommy, 10, moved to the U.S. this year, and he just started at Newport Elementary in September.

ROGER CARLSON The Big Easy didn't seem to be all that easy, at times, over the past nine months. But I have to tell you something: It's a lot easier right now. A few days ago my chemotherapy doctor told me he'd like to see me in three months for a checkup and gave me my graduation diploma by way of a doctor's order to get rid of this thing inbedded in my chest called a port-a-cath. The device is a little button that makes it a lot easier to apply the medication that has made me whole.

My blisters are finally healing. I have regained feeling in my feet. And the soreness in my legs has subsided. It has been three days since the closing ceremonies of the Newport Beach Relay for Life and I am still trying to catch up on sleep. Despite my groggy demeanor and tender toes, there is one side effect remaining from the charity relay I hope never goes away: escalated enthusiasm for this community. This year's Relay for Life, designed to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer, combined charity, entertainment, great food, the unparalleled spirit of cancer survivors and the gusto of this beachside community to create "the event" of the year.

BRYCE ALDERTON Mike Thornton was very candid when discussing the topsy-turvy season his Orange Coast College women's basketball team is having. "We've had more problems this year than in my first 14 years [at OCC]," Thornton said Friday before Coast's Orange Empire Conference home game against Cypress. OCC (8-8, 1-1 in conference after falling to Cypress), fresh off its first state title a year ago, has battled adversity from the season's start, Thornton said.

Two weeks ago Kimberly Stotmore found herself accosted for her shaved head. A man grabbed Stotmore as she walked to her car in the parking lot of Santa Ana College and accused the mother of two of being a skinhead. Stotmore, also an 18-year nurse, tried to explain that her lack of hair was merely the result of chemo treatments she recently completed while combating breast cancer. “He didn’t believe I had cancer, he didn’t want to believe me,” Stotmore said.

Mary Kay VanderMolen passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, May 5, 2013. She was born in Chicago, Illinois to Gene and Margaret (Ratican) Fritz.  She was a graduate of the University of Illinois, and later attended nursing school at St. Francis Hospital in Evanstan, Illinois. Mary Kay was a breast cancer survivor, loving mother, and loyal friend.  She is survived by her daughter, Caitlin, who is attending college at UCSB, her son, Chris, who resides in Costa Mesa, CA, and her sisters, Beth and Jeannie, who live in Illinois.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, at 10:00 A.M., at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church.  2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

Q: If Jesus is going to return some day and make the world a better place, why doesn't he go ahead and do it? The world is so messed up that I can't understand why he doesn't return now. — F.R.H. A: One of the Bible's greatest promises is that one day Jesus Christ will return — and when he does, all the evil we see around us will be destroyed and he will rule the world in perfect justice and peace. The Bible says, "In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13)