LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local woman battling an aggressive form of cancer is getting some help from her friends, who are holding a dinner and silent auction this weekend to help her cover medical costs.
The Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association is helping host the event for Dawn Begun on Saturday, July 18.
The fundraiser will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
Begun, 29, is a lifelong Lake County resident, a longtime county employee and a past Lake County District Attorney's Office staffer who in August was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The disease is a form of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system and, as a result, compromises the body's ability to fight infection, according to an explanation of the disease offered by the Mayo Clinic.
Begun completed chemotherapy for the lymphoma mass, but doctors rediagnosed her with Hodgkin's lymphoma in February.
The following month, she underwent surgery to remove clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma from her kidney, which had been discovered during her chemotherapy.
“Hodgkin’s disease does not typically reoccur as fast as it has in my case. My oncologist had never had a patient that had a reoccurrence, let alone one that reoccurred two months after completing chemotherapy,” according to Begun.
She said that, because her cancer is more aggressive than what is typical, she will have to undergo a bone marrow transplant, as well as stronger, more intense doses of chemotherapy.
That will necessitate her having to stay three weeks in the hospital for the transplant, along with making many pretreatment and followup visits with the doctors, with trips totaling nearly 200 miles roundtrip.
While she's managed to continue working and attending Santa Rosa Junior College up to this point, she said she will have to stop working and end her educational journey at this time due to the upcoming treatment.
“Because of these hardships I am asking for any help possible,” Begun wrote about her situation. “Since the doctors’ offices are so far away I need help with transportation, lodging and expenses from being unable to work. Support, prayers and positive vibes are all appreciated! With your help I can kick cancers butt for once and for all!”
She's getting help from her friends in law enforcement, who are asking for assistance and donations for Begun.
“As an association and as peace officers we are very committed in wanting to support our community and assist local community members in times of need,” said Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association Secretary John Gregore.
Tickets for the Saturday dinner and silent auction are $20 each for adults, $10 each for children ages 5 to 12.
Dinner selections are a choice of chicken, beef or cheese enchiladas.
For those unable to attend the fundraiser dinner, a Go Fund Me account has been set up for Begun at http://www.gofundme.com/vs9ck8g .
For more information, contact Gloria Pulido, 360-969-5212 or
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