Life lessons from Mom

May 7
Life lessons from Mom

‘Race for Life’ holds true meaning for area mother

Julie D. Imel Abington Journal Correspondent

RANSOM TWP. – As Sarene O’Malley watches her son and her friend’s children participate in the upcoming “Race for Life” at Cedar BMX in Newton Twp., thoughts of her recent triumph over Leukemia will undoubtedly be on her mind.

Nancy Gillott, Willowbrook Resident "Take pride in your appearance."

Dominick Scott, VFW Post 7069 member "Be a good Christian and to go to college, without that advice I received I wouldn’t be where I am and who I am today."

Maria Wilson, Waverly Community House Executive Director "Slow down and do not allow yourself to get more stressed out than your children."

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Hosted by the America Bicycle Association (ABA), the Race for Life is an annual fundraiser to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Cedar BMX is the local chapter of the ABA, and those who operate the track on Newton Ransom Blvd. are pleased to be a part of this annual tradition. Candy Rosencrance is a six-year volunteer at Cedar BMX, and her husband, Rob Vargo, operates Cedar BMX. Their children, R.J. 14, and Jessy, 12, are also avid BMX racers.

Rosencrance expects more than 100 riders to race on Saturday, May 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., to help raise money for a cause that she holds dear. She and O’Malley met at the track and became friends as their children enjoyed afternoons of race-filled fun at the track.

While Rosencrance said her family has always done its best to support local charities, the meaning of this year’s Race for Life is even more poignant. “This year is special because of Sarene,” she said, smiling. Her daughter, Jessy, agreed. Jessy is consistently among the top three fundraisers for the local race. “All of the money goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” she said. “And even $1 can save a life.”

For O’Malley, Jessy’s sentiments rang true. “If it wasn’t for fundraisers like this race, I wouldn’t be here,” she said.

It was shortly after last year’s Race for Life that O’Malley was diagnosed with leukemia. Her illness was discovered while she was being treated for injuries she sustained when 16 chairs fell on her at work. What she expected to be a fairly routine emergency room visit turned out to be a life-altering experience. Hospital staff discovered her blood pressure was down to 32 (a normal reading is 100). They ran bloodwork and admitted her that day. Shortly after, she was shocked to learn that she had leukemia. The only symptom she had noticed was fatigue. As a wife and mother of three children (Jessica, 19; Joe, 15 and Nick, 13) and a household to run and two jobs to keep her busy, O’Malley never dreamed that her fatigue was due to a serious illness. She just thought she was tired because she had a busy life. “You hear ‘leukemia’ and you associate that with cancer and you think you’re going to die,” she said.

But she was determined not to let fear rule her.

“You can stand up and fight or you can lie down and die. I chose to fight,” she said, her eyes filled with tears. “But really, the kids are the true fighters because they’re the ones who go out and raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” she said. “Three years ago, this diagnosis was a death sentence. Now, I’m alive and well, and it all has to do with this race.” O’Malley’s leukemia is now in remission, and she is forever grateful to her family and friends and the Race for Life.

Racers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate in the Race for Life on May 17 at Cedar BMX. No membership is necessary and helmets will be provided to racers who need them to compete. The fee is $10 to race and there is a minimum donation of $10 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For more information on the Race for Life, call 693-9714, visit cedarbmx.com, ababmx.com, or contact your local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Every penny counts

Since its inception, the American Bicycle Association has raised $3.5 million for the research of blood related cancers. The Abingtons’ local ABA BMX track, Cedar BMX, has raised between $3,000 and $5,000 for the cause each year.

Editor’s Note: Reporter Shelby Fisk approached members of the community and staff to share the best advice they had received from the mothers over the years. They are presented here and continued on Page A8 with Mother’s Day sentiments from area schoolchildren.