Stepping up for Judy Nicholson
As I was sitting with Realtor Johnnie Woolard of Watson Realty last month, I noticed a bracelet on her arm. When asked what it was, she replied that her office was selling them to support the Judy Nicholson Foundation.
I wanted to know more. What I found out was that the Judy Nicholson Foundation for Kidney Cancer Research was started in November 2008. Judy Nicholson, who worked for Watson, died of kidney cancer last October.
The foundation is selling the bracelets — gold colored and plastic — to help them build awareness about the foundation. The bracelets are $2 each and are available at Watson’s Ponte Vedra Beach office.
“I have been on the start-up committee from early-on,” said Johnnie. “I wanted to help for two reasons. Judy was such a wonderful person whom I greatly admired and because I feel strongly about research for the cure of all kinds of cancer.
“However, I am more passionate about those that get less attention but are increasing in number of deaths. One of these is kidney cancer. Though it has fewer cases than some others, the number of deaths is increasing while most other forms of cancer are seeing a decline in the number of deaths. And, unfortunately, by the time one has serious symptoms, it is often too late.”
The bracelets are just a way to show support and raise a few dollars. The color is the one already used for kidney cancer or as close as they could get.
“It just doesn’t seem possible Judy is not with us,” said Woolard. “She was such a wonderful person. I never met anyone who didn’t have wonderful things to say about her.”
Her daughter, Shelley Nicholson DeVault, said they started the foundation to support others who are affected by the illness.
“When my mom was diagnosed with kidney cancer we really had not heard of anyone who had even had it,” said Shelley. “Within days of her being diagnosed, I started hearing of others.”
The Web site for the foundation www.judynicholsonfoundation.org and here’s Judy’s story, which you’ll find on the site.
“During the Christmas – New Year period of 2007 Judy was engaged, happy, and involved with no indications of an illness. On February 27, 2008, she experienced a fainting spell, an unnatural event for her, suggesting further examination which was promptly scheduled. On March 14th her left kidney was removed by an outstanding team of physicians at Mayo Clinic Florida, located in Jacksonville, following a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) which had spread to lymph nodes and to the aorta from the kidney. She undertook chemotherapy as quickly as medically feasible. On August 1st, she was readmitted to Mayo Clinic for surgery to remove an aggressive tumor that had destroyed one of the vertebrae in her spine which was replaced with prosthesis. The cancer had injured critical nerves in the spinal column and she experienced paralysis of her left leg in addition to the effects of the invasive cancer. Throughout this ordeal Judy maintained a positive, courageous outlook, and was an inspiration to her family and friends. Judy left us on October 11th, 2008 after fighting a valiant battle she could not win.
“Judy had never been admitted to a hospital except to give birth to two children, and prior to the fainting spell had experienced no symptoms that would have led one to suspect she was ill.
“She was examined by physicians during December 2007 as a precautionary measure for another condition, and during that exam no reason was found to investigate further for an illness. Had a screening test of some type been available, such as the PSA test given men for prostate cancer, perhaps Judy would be with us today due to early detection of the cancer.”
The foundation’s mission statement is “The Judy Nicholson Foundation seeks to reduce pain, suffering and death associated with kidney cancer through increased awareness, promotion of early detection and improvement of treatment. The Foundation’s theme of Wings of Hope honors Judy Nicholson’s dignified battle with this cancer and signifies her professional associate’s, friend’s and family’s desire to uplift patients and families dealing with this cancer by maximizing their hope of a successful outcome with this often devastating illness. The Foundation works in partnership with kidney cancer researchers at Mayo Clinic Florida to achieve our goals.”
The foundation will hold its first fundraising event, an art show and sale, on Aug. 27 from 5-8 p.m. at the Beaches Museum and History Center in Jacksonville Beach.
“Many local and well-known artists have offered to display and sell their art on behalf of the Foundation,” said DeVault. “Participating artists work will be on display to view and purchase.
“Each artist has agreed to donate a minimum of 25 percent of their sales to the foundation and some have agreed to donate 100 percent of sales to the foundation. Proceeds will go to Mayo Clinic Florida to support Kidney Cancer Research for the prevention and early detection of kidney cancer.”
The cost is $25 per person. Tickets are available through the Web site.
Woolard talked about the upcoming fundraiser.
“We have had great support from artists in our area,” said Woolard. “It should be a wonderful show. Of course, all the committee will be helping with the event in the hope of raising both awareness and money for support of the research. All proceeds will go to Mayo Clinic for kidney cancer research! I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of a great thing that will benefit so many people.”
Why is it important to educate the public on this topic?’
DeVault shared that each year 51,000 people diagnosed with kidney cancer in the United States alone.
“If discovered early, it is treatable, if not, then it can often be fatal,” said DeVault. “Kidney cancer can be found through routine testing (CT scan for another problem). It also can be found when there is blood in the urine. Unfortunately, when it produces pain or other symptoms, the cancer is often advanced and more difficult to treat.”
— Michele Newbern Gillis can be contacted at [email protected].
Womenade ready to show their work
Our generous friends who make up the Womenade group have seen their latest project almost come to fruition. It’s another in the many ways they help the daniel Home, and this time it’s funding “reading nooks” in the childrens’ home’s Literacy Library.
“This is the first time that Womenade has taken on a project like this and we could not have done it without the help and support of Gerry Boeneman, the division president for Ryland Homes,” said Womenade founder Judy Hicks of Re/Max Coastal. “Once he toured the Residential Treatment Center, he knew he had to help us make the project a reality.
“Gerry enlisted the help of Brad Parrish of Builders First Source, and Dave Triasse and Bobby Vallejos with Creative Touch Interiors. Soon, the kids will have a place to read the new books that daniel and Womenade supporters have so graciously helped purchase.”
There will be an open house in the library on Tuesday, August 25, from 5-7 p..m. It will be at the Residential Treatment Center on the daniel campus, which is at 3725 Belfort Road (that’s just north of St. Luke’s Hospital.) Parking is available across the street in the church parking lot.
“One of our supporters, Carol Zingone, sent me a great quote: ‘Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader’,” said Hicks. “That is so appropriate and ties in perfectly with both the Womenade and daniel missions.”
Hicks asks that you RSVP to Kathy Timmons at 463-5671 or [email protected].
“We want to make sure that we have enough food!” she said.