We all must practice traditions of caring

I sat down to read Sunday’s Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman — the house was quiet, the dog and cat sleeping, the husband noticeable absent working hard up north. I was struck by several articles. One was written by Greg Johnson, one by Jenny Weaver and one by Heather Resz.

The articles were as different as night and day. Heather’s article was about a quilt made by Patricia Ott and Rene Russ, with the help of Jean Greco. The quilt will be raffled off to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (90 percent) and the Mat-Su Miners (10 percent). It was a different path taken this year, added to the various events that Mary Ann Johnson runs to raise awareness of the disease that took three of her siblings.

It was friends and community members and civic organizations coming together to see this quilt project to the end. The quilt was displayed at the Outdoorsman Show this last weekend. It will be raffled off at the Gifts Galore Bazaar March 29 at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School.

The article by Weaver highlighted the accomplishments and valor of our many differently-abled community members who represented the Mat-Su Valley at the Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games. It was reported that our hockey team, one with able-bodied and differently-able-bodied athletes, worked together so well that you couldn’t tell one from the other!

Once again, camaraderie galore, a lot of hard work and dedication, and long hours of work all to go into a spectacular program and end event, the Special Olympics Winter Games. Snowboarding, skiing, bowling, climbing, dance and more — these events don’t occur overnight. They take hours of dedication from community volunteers — for support, as coaches, as cheerleaders, as well as continued Mat-Su community support.

Johnson’s story about the Noisy Goose (one of my most favorite restaurants!) was about its big 25th anniversary. The part that struck me was that while owners Bill and Glenda Nafus started the restaurant, the generational gap did not divide — it united.

Daughter Keilana Beers is now the general manager; she started working there when she was 15. Sister Darilyn Beers sees to the office side of the restaurant; a third generation has come along, Miranda and Alyssa McKenzie, one working as hostess, one as a waitress. Let’s not forget their up-and-coming 12-year-old brother either!

But they say part of the secret of the restaurant (and pies) if Faye Carrol — and Carrol’s daughter Davida works there, too — a team! People know their strengths, their gifts, their passions, and each one pitches in.

The point of this article is not to tell you what you have already known.

Instead, my point is to remind people that there are many good community events and projects that could use their gifts and time. People have their own strengths, talents, passions and their reasons for participating. For Mary Ann Johnson, it is the memory of her siblings and cystic fibrosis. For the coaches and athletes of Special Olympics, it’s the passion and the purpose and people. For the people at the Noisy Goose — like the other articles, it’s about the sort of teamwork (well, and the pies) that adds quality to our lives in the Mat-Su.

And yes, I would be remiss if I were not to remind you that my passion is to see Alaska’s No. 1 killer be no more. I do not want to hear one more person hear “you have cancer.” It’s time to finish the fight. The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is not a race, it’s a time to remember, to celebrate and to fight back. If you, a family or group of friends or office cohorts wants to help out and create or join a team, c’mon! Let’s finish the fight! Last year, an 8-year-old boy formed a team to fight for one of his classmates who is now cancer free!

For more information, contact Gabi Miller at (907) 273-2081 or Gabi.miller@cancer.org. Or, to sign up, visit matsurelay.org.

Relay For Life is also about raising funds for research, working to find a cure. It is also finding that place where you can help someone who is fighting the battle. Maybe it’s the time that once you’ve fought your battle, or you have some spare time, you can drive someone to an appointment or take them to a class. Most of all, we want the community to join the fun from 7 p.m., June 13 to noon, June 14 at Palmer High School. Note change in location.

Survivors and caregivers: don’t forget to sign up at matsurelay.org. We need your current information so we can let you know about all the survivor/caregiver functions planned. A survivor is anyone from day one of diagnosis!

Don’t forget Team Captain University is from 9:30 to 11 a.m., March 29 at Teeland Middle School. Brunch will be provided.

This is the 100-year celebration of the American Cancer Society and there is lots of new information for everyone. I will have my book “Loose Screws and Skinned Knees” available for teams that want to use it as a fundraiser and for individuals who want to buy them (and/or signed), a portion going to Relay For Life! See you Saturday and June 13-14!

Care Tuk is an 11-time cancer patient and advocate

for cancer survivors and caregivers.