One of the
“stars” of this year’s Relay for Life in Morgan Hill will be
retired Jackson Elementary Principal Mike Crocker, who says he is
an example of research dollars – raised by events such as the Relay
– at work.
One of the “stars” of this year’s Relay for Life in Morgan Hill will be retired Jackson Elementary Principal Mike Crocker, who says he is an example of research dollars – raised by events such as the Relay – at work.
The Relay for Life, which begins Saturday at 10 a.m. and runs for 24 hours, raises money for the American Cancer Society.
Crocker has pancreatic cancer, a rare form of the disease and one that is typically fast-growing and fatal. While in remission last year, he said he had a “gut feeling” that the cancer had returned. Tests proved him right, and last June, he was hospitalized, told he had five to seven days to live.
As featured speaker during the Relay for Life’s luminaria ceremony on Saturday at 9 p.m., Crocker said he will tell the teams, who walk for 24 hours – each team having at least one member on the track around the clock – about his experimental treatment, made possible through research dollars.
“My experiment was actually pre-clinical trial,” he said. “Now Kaiser Permanente is starting looking for people for a clinical trial, and they will be using the exact two drugs I’m using in my treatment.”
The treatment shrank his tumor, Crocker said, and gave him another year of life.
“No one knows whether they are going to be here tomorrow,” he said. “I tell the people in my support groups, the people who call me to talk, that all we know is we are here today, and what are you going to do about it. Live life and enjoy it.”
Because of the research that is funded through events such as these, Crocker said, the cure for colon cancer is “right around the corner.”
“It will be over, a thing of the past,” he said. “And the treatment for prostate cancer has come an incredibly long way.”
As he goes for his treatments every three weeks, Crocker said, he notices that the infusion rooms are filled with women.
“Breast cancer,” he said. “It’s completely out of control. This is where they need the research, the funding.”
The Relay for Life is in its third year in Morgan Hill. Dollars raised for cancer research have increased each year, and organizers this year hope to reach $150,000.
The event is being held this year at Oakwood Country School, 105 John Wilson Way. The community is invited to attend. A ceremony including a welcome from City Councilman Larry Carr, the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church Men’s Ensemble singing the National Anthem and a release of doves as cancer survivors take to the track for the opening lap.
The survivor’s lap is a Relay tradition. Survivors in special T-shirts walk the first lap alone, then caregivers will join in for the second lap, and then all of the teams join them.
Bands will perform during the 24-hour event, and there will be a play area for children. Many local businesses and agencies have volunteered their support of the event, including Mama Mia’s, Baskin Robbins, Sweet Retreat, Nob Hill Foods, Safeway, House of Bagels, Rosy’s at the Beach, Morgan Hill Bakery, Fry’s Electronics and the Morgan Hill Lion’s Club.
Donations the day of the event are welcome, and many teams are selling items with the funds raised going to the American Cancer Society. Luminaria may be purchased from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be lighted in memory of cancer victims for the ceremony at 9 p.m.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at md****@*************es.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 202
