Neighbor News
Laguna Niguel Couple To Honor Young Cancer Heroes
It's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Read about these local parents who bring smiles to kids with cancer in honor of their son.
It may be the end of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but one local couple hopes to keep the momentum of awareness going through October and beyond.
Sandy and Gary Barker of Laguna Niguel were devastated after their oldest son Christian died of a rare form of leukemia in December of 2007.
Then they decided to do the best thing they could to help keep Christian’s memory alive. In 2009, they created the Gold Rush Cure Foundation, a non-profit organization named for the gold ribbons of childhood cancer awareness and the Barkers’ determination to find better treatment for children battling the disease.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Saturday, October 8, Gold Rush Cure will host its third annual fundraiser called “Celebrating Childhood Cancer Heroes,” at El Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel.
There, they will recognize six young cancer “heroes,” as Sandy likes to call them for their strength and courage: Sage Escalante of Laguna Niguel, Weston Rowan of San Clemente, Gavin Rowe of Mission Viejo, Aidyn Wong of Irvine, Coben Swanson of Yorba Linda, and Sabrina Simoes of Anaheim. In addition, the foundation will remember the life of Tim Vorenkamp, the Laguna Beach teen who started the Live for Others Foundation before he died last January.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Proceeds from the event will help fund the foundation’s Pot of Gold program, in which gifts wrapped in gold are delivered to kids with cancer. The Barkers and other volunteers fill the Pots of Gold with all kinds of specially-chosen items from the kids’ wish lists, including Legos, dolls, super hero capes, iPads, amusement park tickets, even a full-sized swing set and a ukulele.
The Barkers were inspired to create the Pot of Gold program after their son was unable to open his Christmas presents before he died. So far, at least 130 children with cancer have received Pots of Gold, each worth about $500.
In addition, Sandy will make her 19th trip to Washington DC in December to advocate for greater funds for children’s cancer research. And she provides support to local parents who need help and reassurance in providing care for their sick child.
The Gold Rush Cure Foundation is completely volunteer-run and funded by donations. For those who would like to volunteer or make a donation, please visit www.goldrushcure.org.
