Clark Mother of Two, Cancer Fighter Raises Money to End Disease

Clark, NJ -- Clark mother and cancer fighter, Joelle Lordi, is turning her negative diagnosis into something positive

She is running the Relay for Life of Clark to help raise funds for to help the American Cancer Society end cancer.

Lordi was diagnosed with cervical cancer in February 2013 when she was pregnant with her first daughter, Samantha.

Because of the placement of the lesions and the pregnancy, Lordi had to wait until after Samantha was born to have any type of treatment.

Samantha was born happy and healthy and Lordi underwent the necessary treatment to remove the lesions.

Lordi was cancer free until January 2015 when she found the cancer returned. However, treatment had to wait as she found she was pregnant with her second daughter Victoria in April.

This time, the cancer has spread to her cervix and possibly into her uterus. Doctors were unsure the pregnancy would go full term.

Lordi underwent tests, bloodwork, ultrasounds and exams with specialists almost 2 to 3 times a week.

On Dec. 2, 2015, her cervix became incompetent and she began losing fluid. She underwent full anesthesia and had an emergency C-section.

Victoria was born happy and healthy.

“I call them both my miracle babies,” Lordi told Patch of her daughters. “I wasn’t sure I would get pregnant since I had quite a few miscarriages.”

Lordi is now currently awaiting radiation therapy for the cancer.

As she waits, Lordi doesn’t remain idle. She is busy raising funds for Relay for Life - Fight Like a Girl.

She started getting involved with Relay four years ago and has continued since. Last year she raised more than $10,000 and placed second highest in the region.

Lordi hopes to exceed that this year.

She has a number of events coming up where a portion of funds will go towards the cause.

• Wednesday, April 13: Bring the flyer in the photos to Texas Roadhouse of Old Bridge from 4 to 10 p.m. and 10% of each bill in its entirety will be donated to Relay For Life “Team Fight Like A Girl.”
• Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17: A Garage Fundraiser will be held at 892 Raritan Road in Clark where a variety of items including clothes, furniture, toys decorations and more will be sold. Hot dogs, chips, cupcakes and soda will also be sold during the event. Proceeds will go to Relay for Life.
• May 1: At 10 a.m. a Character Pancake Breakfast and Basket Raffle will be held at the Knights of Columbus in Clark. Breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, juice and cookies. Characters such as Spiderman, Minions, Ariel and Pocahontas will be there. A basket raffle with prizes will also be held. Tickets $12 adults and $10 for children 5 and up. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life.

For information on any of these events or to donate call Lordi at 848-459-5162 or CLICK HERE.

(Photos provided: Joelle Lordi of Clark)