Macomb-Area Youth Football League Raises Cancer Awareness With Pink Game

The Anchor Bay Buccaneers Youth Football League donated money to two area families that have been affected by cancer.

When young football players charged the field this month in New Baltimore, they scored big for cancer awareness. Players, cheerleaders and families in the Anchor Bay Buccaneers Youth Football League raised money during a pink game Oct. 7 against the Mt. Clemens Barracudas at Anchor Bay Middle School North. A bake sale, raffles and other donations led to a total of $2,275 that will be split between two families affected by cancer. In addition, the Bob McGuire Memorial Foundation will pay some utility expenses for the families. Check presentations from the league will be Nov. 5 at Zuccaro's Banquets and Catering in Chesterfield Township, said township resident Audra Ford, Buccaneers secretary and fund-raising coordinator. There are …

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Fore! St. Jude: Team SuperSam to Host 2nd Golf Fund-Raiser

All proceeds from the Aug. 25 golf outing at Hickory Hollow will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

On Feb. 25, 2008, the Jones family lost their son Samuel to diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an inoperable brain cancer. Shortly after, Samuel's mother Rebecca Jones started Team SuperSam to support and raise money for child cancer research. Jones has led Team SuperSam through four St. Jude Marathons, and this December will take the team on its fifth run in Memphis, TN. While donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are sought year round, the team will ramp up its summer fund-raising efforts with an Aug. 25 Golf Scramble at Hickory Hollow Golf Course.  The $90-per-golfer participation fee includes the game, snacks, beer and pop on the course, raffles, an awards ceremony and a sit-down dinner. It's $25 to attend dinner only. …

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Beaumont Oncologist Offers Tips on New FDA Sunscreen Labels

New sunscreen labeling guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration aim to help consumers choose the right level of protection.

Whether you are beach bound or boating this summer, sunscreen is a must for anyone who spends time in the sun. And on Monday, the Food and Drug Administration began rolling out its new sunscreen labeling regulations. Choosing a sunscreen product should be easier for consumers to find the right level of protection, according to Richard Keidan, M.D., director, Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic, Beaumont Health System. “Sunscreens may only be labeled ‘broad spectrum’ if they protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays,” said Keidan, who sees a wide range of patients, including those with precancerous conditions to late stages of melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and is the leading cause of death from skin disease. “…

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Oxford Academy Students Give Beloved Instructor 65 Reasons to Live

Continued support from students, staff and family has given Oxford Academy Program Director Toni Partyka the strength to overcome her hairy cell leukemia.

In remission just six months after her initial cancer diagnosis, Toni Partyka can give 65 reasons for the speed of her recovery by simply opening her office door. The program director of Oxford Academy in Macomb, Partyka was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia on Oct. 31. “I was going down to Florida for my son’s wedding,” Partyka said. “I never expected to end up in the hospital or to find out I had leukemia.” Within 24 hours of her arrival, Partyka’s flu-like symptoms landed her in the intensive care unit of a Florida hospital. She never made it to her son’s wedding. The next few weeks were a blur as Partyka returned to Michigan for treatment and work. “It was hard when she came back,” said Shelley Rosso, Oxford’s student services …

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Community Plans Fund-Raisers for Dakota Coach Wrestling Cancer

Friends, family and students of Dakota varsity wrestling coach Bill Witgen are planning two fund-raising dinners this month to support Witgen in his battle against cancer.

Rallying to the phrase, "No one fights alone," friends and family of Dakota High School varsity wrestling coach Bill Witgen are organizing two fund-raisers this month to support Witgen in his battle against cancer. Diagnosed with cancer in January, Witgen was forced to miss several tournaments and meets, but never failed to support his young team, ultimately coaching the Cougars to more than 500 individual wins for the season, including a fourth-place Division 1 state medal for sophomore Jake Johnson in the 135-pound bracket. His team is now doing its best to return that support, organizing two separate fund-raising banquets to benefit Witgen and his family as he continues various cancer treatments.  "We have been working on this for a …

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Like Fathers, Like Sons: Duos Shave Heads for St. Baldrick’s

Two local father-son pairs will be among the more than 380 residents shaving their heads Saturday in Romeo to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research.

If there was even a slight family resemblance between father-son pairs Rob and Connor Montilla and Dan and Shane O’Leary before, the relationship will be even more apparent after the duos shave their heads for St. Baldrick’s this weekend. The Montillas of Macomb Township and O’Learys of Washington Township will be among some 380 other "shavees" taking part in The Village of Romeo’s annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation event on Saturday. In preparation of the signature head shaving event, shavees reach out to their communities to raise funds and awareness for the childhood cancer research promoted by St. Baldrick's. “All organizations that fight cancer are important and it is amazing that so many in our community find different outlets to do …

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Bone Marrow Drive Sets Sights on Finding Joey's Match

A bone marrow donor drive will be held from 2-8 p.m. Monday at Morgan Elementary in Shelby Township in the hope of finding a match for Joey Caretti, 11.

In the community next to this one lives an 11-year-old boy you’ve probably never met, but whose future relies on the action of a stranger much like yourself. Joey Caretti, of Washington Township, won the battle with a rare form of brain cancer on Nov. 11. But just weeks later, he was diagnosed with a second cancer – leukemia. Because the drug that would normally be used to cure this cancer in children was already administered for his brain cancer, Caretti’s survival now depends on more chemotherapy treatments and ultimately, a bone marrow transplant. Just as Macomb Township resident Laura Pokas set out to give Joey strength with the "1,000 Get Well Card Challenge," so other community members have committed to give Joey life by organizing a…

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Macomb Woman Needs Cards to Aid Young Cancer Patient

Laura Pokas of Macomb Township is trying to get a thousand cards sent to a young boy in his second battle with cancer.

UPDATE: As of Dec. 14, Laura Pokas has collected some 5,000 cards with well wishes. Editor's Note: In an earlier version of this story it was reported Joey was battling cancer for the third time. This is actually his second cancer, as his first brain tumor was benign. A Macomb woman has started a card drive to help a young boy battling cancer for the second time. Laura Pokas of Macomb Township has the goal of getting a thousand cards to give to Joey Caretti, 11, of Washington Township who is fighting leukemia, according to a story by WJBK-TV Fox Detroit. The hope is that the cards will give Joey support as he enters his third cancer fight following previous treatment for a brain tumor. You can read more about Joey's fight in the Fox …

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Laura Pokas

3:13 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Karen, your cards were received and delivered! Have you checked the latest update that I received more then 20,000 cards/letters/gifts and they are still coming? We are researching additional ways to spread this love and support to others in need. A card is such a simple way to reach out and create a smile! There are so many Joey's in the world who could use one if people just looked for them.   more ›

Team SuperSam Asks Community to Ante Up for Cancer

A group of Macomb residents is planning its third annual No Limit Texas Hold'em poker tournament to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.