| 8 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago PMC Profile: Cairns family
|
(Marnie MacLean, NECN) - Next month, over five thousand cyclists will take
Part in the 29th annual Pan-Mass Challenge. Over the years, the
Original fund raising bike-a-thon has raised more than
200 million dollars for the Dana Farber cancer institute.
Julie Cairns of Saco, Maine has relied on doctor's
At Dana Farber to help her navigate the frightening world
Of brain cancer.
Now, her husband and sister are taking part in
The challenge...hoping by raising money, they can help
Julie fight her battle.
Peter Cairns and his sister-in-law Anne Marie have just one
More month to train in Maine before they take on the pan mass
Challenge.....on day one, they will ride from Wellesley to
Bourne----84 miles. With every pedal they earn money...money
They hope can save the life of someone they love.
For Julie Cairns, that mass turned out to be an inoperable,
And incurable form of brain cancer. She was told she could
Expect to live another 4 to 6 years. That diagnosis was three years
Ago.
Immediately....Julie and Peter's close knit families rallied
To offer support....because Julie had to worry about more than
Herself....she had to take care of two young daughters...Megan
And Emily. The girls know mommy is sick...and as Julie
Underwent treatment...they would talk about the cancer.
Julie's doctor at Dana-Farber cancer institute in Boston />
Worked with doctors in Maine to allow Julie to do most of
Treatment close to home. She's been through radiation and
Chemotherapy--the tumor is still there and alive...but thankfully, not
Growing.
"I've done everything I can as far as treatment goes, we're just waiting for
A cure for more research to be done...and that's why they're riding the bikes."
Every dollar peter and Ann Marie raise in the challenge
Will go directly to Julie's doctor at Dana-Farber...to help
Him fund research that could lead to a treatment for
Julie.
Certainly to the Cairn's family....although Julie and peter have
Done all they can to keep life as normal
As possible....Julie still works from home as an admission officer for
A Rhode Island college. The girls play soccer and go to
Dance class...Julie is there for every game, every recital...every
Moment.
Julie tries to reconcile reality with hope. It isn't
Easy...but they do the best they can. This family has truly learned to take life one
Precious day at a time.
Maine Marnie Maclean, NECN.
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