In Hawaiian, 'Aloha' is an expression of love that means both hello and goodbye. The 'spirit of aloha' is a transcendent term used to describe a way of living that can mean being a part of a greater whole, living with an open heart and a spirit of abundance. The word 'aloha' typically conjures warm, sunny feelings, but for Santa Cruz surfer and breast cancer survivor Laureen Cameron, the word has taken on new depth as she turns to the Santa Cruz community for support in a time of need.
"Laureen is full of aloha spirit -- meaning she is kind and loving and full of joy both on land and in the water," said Sally Smith-Weymouth, a longtime friend and owner of Paradise Surf. "She has shown incredible strength of character in facing her cancer battle and has done something courageous and that is ask for help from her community."
In the spirit of aloha and 'ohana (family), the Santa Cruz surfing community is coming together to organize a benefit fundraiser to support Cameron. A BBQ potluck will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Dirt Farm at Pleasure Point. Any funds raised will go toward housing, basic necessities and paying Cameron's medical bills.
Cameron was born and raised in Santa Cruz and, like so many lucky enough to be born in this town, her life revolved around the ocean. She learned to surf at Cowell's with her best friend Carol Dilloughery.
"There weren't many women in the water back
then and we just kept going back out till we figured it out," remembered Cameron. "There were no surf classes. We fought our way up the ladder the hard way by wearing men's wetsuits and trunks."Longtime friend Sally Smith-Weymouth first met Cameron in the early 1990s, when Smith-Weymouth was first learning to surf.
"Laureen was one of the few women surfers out at 38th Ave. at Pleasure Point," said Smith-Weymouth, adding, "I have always admired her spirit and surfing ability. She is a talented surfer."
A true ocean-lover, Cameron arranged her work schedule so that she could surf every afternoon, waking up each morning and wondering what the ocean was doing. Although her income was modest, Cameron said, "My quality of life was worth millions. As soon as I hit the water, all stress and worries would wash off of me and my day would start anew. The ocean is my life and always has been. I really do think I have saltwater in my veins."
In 2011, just a year and a day after losing her own mother to breast cancer, Cameron was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease many of her female relatives also had. Suddenly, her wonderful life -- a job she loved, a schedule that allowed her to be in the ocean every day -- was turned upside down. Her daily surf sessions were replaced by appointments, tests, treatments and surgeries to remove the massive tumors that doctors had somehow missed.
"I was quickly whisked into a mad frenzy of doctors, tests, anxiety, and fear," said Cameron. "These two years of being out of the water have torn a big chunk out of my heart. The few times I was able to paddle when I was feeling good in the last couple months, I cried tears of joy."
Cameron underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, losing her long blonde hair and what little vanity she had in the process. As her body reacted to the harsh chemicals, she practiced visualization, imagining the cancer cells melting like the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz.
Cameron said it was her Santa Cruz 'ohana that made her challenging journey from sickness to recovery possible.
"I had such wonderful support of friends and family taking care of me," said Cameron, adding "I couldn't have survived without their support. When I couldn't lift my head or even drink water they truly did carry me on their shoulders through my journey."
During her battle with breast cancer, Cameron not only lost her job and source of income, she also lost her health insurance and, she says, her sense of dignity and self-sufficiency.
Now, as she recovers from chemotherapy, she faces significant medical bills and the loss of her home.
"My friend and current landlord helped me keep a roof over our heads when I couldn't provide it myself. Now it is time to move on," said Cameron, who has until Aug. 1 to find a new home. "If and when we find a new place to live we can continue our path of healing and regaining strength. My goal is to get settled into a new place where both my daughter and I can heal and to get back in the water. That will be the happiest day of my life."
Cameron's outlook is inspirational, said Fred Reiss, a longtime friend and fellow cancer survivor.
"Laureen's spirit has been indomitable. She is bigger than the disease," said Reiss, author of 'Today Cancer Tomorrow The World.' "She has been supportive to others struggling with cancer. She has endured insensitive doctors, lost her job, and is now broke because of cancer.
"But she's still looking forward. Laureen isn't merely a survivor, she's a victor."
Despite the challenges she is facing, Cameron continues to live her life with the spirit of aloha as she greets the future with hope and positivity.
"All of this pales in the generosity and love my daughter and I are receiving from our wonderful community," said Cameron. "It's beyond awesome that with all of the growing pains Santa Cruz has endured we still have our core group of people that believe and support what Santa Cruz was always about -- sticking together, sharing and appreciating the beauty we are surrounded by everyday. I truly do still give thanks everyday."
Gretchen Wegrich's Stoked & Broke appears every other Sunday. Contact her at sports@santacruzsentinel.com
IF YOU GO
A Pleasure Point 'Ohana Affair & A BBQ Potluck Fundraiser
WHAT: A BBQ potluck, raffle and silent auction benefit for surfer and breast cancer survivor Laureen Cameron and her daughter Donelle to help with medical bills and housing
WHEN: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, July 14
WHERE: Dirt Farm, Pleasure Point (near the end of 38th Ave.)
DETAILS: Attendees are encouraged to bring their own drinks and something to BBQ, a dish to share, surfboards, games, chairs, tables, musical instruments and their own plates, cups and utensils. BBQ grills will be provided.
HOW TO HELP: Visit http://www.gofundme.com/3ffpeg to donate.
Horshack Beady Eye Eric Idle rory mcilroy Fatboy Slim Rio de Janeiro Shark Week
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.