'You do what you have to do': Family from Hawaii moves to Oregon to support teen with cancer

Lexi Spence, 15, right, and her sister Angelina, 12, communicate with their sister Danielle, 10, through a glass window at Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

Lexi Spence, her mom and two younger sisters were the first to pull up stakes in Hawaii and move to Oregon in November after 15-year-old Lexi was diagnosed with a fast-moving blood cancer.
Then came Lexi's college freshman brother.
Now the entire family lives in Portland as Lexi recovers from a January bone marrow transplant. Everyone except Lexi's dad, who practically lives here, visiting for 5-to-10 days at a time, all his job as plant manager of a water-bottling company back in Hawaii will allow.
Relocating to deal with a family member's cancer is a choice many families have to make. To read the story of a Hawaiian family that relocated to Portland , click here.

Happy Birthday, Jimmy Pantenburg!

Jimmy Pantenburg

April 21, 2011, would have marked Jimmy Pantenburg's 17th birthday.
He lost his struggle with brain cancer on July 3, 2009.
His family misses him very, very much.
But Jimmy would want any memorial or remembrance of him to be happy and joyful! So take a look  at these photos of Jimmy and his friends and family and smile!
 To learn more about Jimmy, and how he affected the lives of many people, click here

Ben Westlund: Return From the Hospital Speech

Ben Westlund, long time Central Oregon politician, lost his battle with lung cancer on March 7, 2010. This 2003 "Return From the Hospital" speech at the Oregon legislature is both timely and well-worth listening to. Click here to view it!

Urban and Wilderness Survival Kits: Help the Cancer Fight in Central Oregon

Urban and Wilderness Survival Kits: Help the Cancer Fight in Central Oregon: "April is the month where CANCancer tries to raise more money to help people undergoing cancer treatment in Central Oregon. But here's more t..."

CANCancer at La Pine Chamber of Commerce

It was a record-setting crowd - well over 100 people - who attended the April meeting of the La Pine Chamber of Commerce at the La Pine Senior Center to hear me (Corinne) speak about the April Campaign for CanCancer.

You Can 'Pitch In'

These lavender envelopes will be arriving in your garbage billing statements beginning this spring. Residents who want to make a tax deductible donation can use this envelope to send cash, check or credit card donations straight to CAN Cancer.To learn how you can donate, click here.

Cancer: The Ugly Side of the Fight

It's the ugly side of the fight - the financial and emotional strain. Something CAN Cancer founders Corinne and Gil Martinez know firsthand. When their son, Stu, was diagnosed with throat cancer, the cost of travel to St. Charles from La Pine, and the everyday living expenses, mounted quickly. The Martinez family is winning their fight. To learn more about the program, and how you can help Central Oregon families of cancer patients, click here.