Climbing for a cure
Burlington man scales Mt. Shasta to honor mother
Despite an 11-year remission from breast cancer, Susan Sluger of Frederick, Md., succumbed on Oct. 2, 2007, to the disease that had spread to her bones and ovaries. She was 57.
"Seeing her die like that was horrific for everybody involved," said Craig Murray, Sluger's son.
A resident of Burlington, Murray researched a number of fund-raisers before finding the one through which he could best honor his mother's memory. He recently joined 32 other participants in the Breast Cancer Fund's Climb Against the Odds to the summit of 14,162-foot Mt. Shasta, the second-highest peak in the Cascade Range in northern California. Climbers represented nine states, as well as Canada and Japan.
Murray said he hopes the six-day expedition increased awareness along with funds. For his part, he raised $11,000 to benefit the Breast Cancer Fund's public education, corporate accountability, and policy initiatives surrounding environmental and other preventable causes of the disease.
"One minute we'd be freezing cold, and then the sun would pop out and we'd be hot. But no matter how tiring it was, 32 other climbers weren't going to let you stop. And when we got to the top, it was worth it. I haven't seen sights like that in my life," Murray said.
"I told the group that I started this journey as a way for me to heal, to say goodbye to my mother, but it was such a learning experience to hear 32 other climbers tell their own stories of loss," he said. "I've already volunteered to do it next year. I want to keep the tradition going."
To learn more, visit breastcancerfund.org.
AT YOUR SERVICE: At 75 years old, Lowell resident Lorraine Bergeron said she feels fortunate not to need help with daily tasks. Instead, she volunteers to improve the quality of life of others.
Bergeron's transition to volunteerism was a natural extension of the services she increasingly provided while visiting her brother and two sisters, who were residents of a nursing home in Lowell. She played cards with residents, read to them, and spoke out for those who didn't speak English well.
Bergeron formally began volunteering at nursing homes, senior housing, health care facilities, and private homes with Lowell-based Community Teamwork Inc. in 1996. Since that time, she has driven clients to doctor appointments, taken them shopping, written letters for them, and encouraged them to participate in activities rather than remain in their rooms. Her support has additionally provided respite for family caretakers while ensuring that frail elders remain connected to the outside world.
Bergeron was recently honored with the 2008 Senior Volunteer Award from Altrusa International Inc. of Merrimack Valley in recognition of the 12,000 hours of volunteer service and 17,600 miles she has logged as a member of Community Teamwork's Senior Corps. Four individuals received honorable mention for the award: Theresa Plante, a volunteer with Southern New Hampshire Services Inc. of Nashua; David and Carol Knight of the Humane Society for Greater Nashua; and Fred Baldwin of Open
"Whatever people need, I'm glad to do it," Bergeron said. "As we get older, our children and grandchildren don't need us as much as they used to. I love people. I'm very glad when I can make someone happy."
BYE BYE BIRDIE: Brian Dillon of Dracut was introduced to acting in the seventh grade, when his principal asked if he wanted to perform in the school musical "Oklahoma!" the following evening.
"They needed bodies to fill the stage," he said. "On a whim, I got a plaid shirt, threw on a cowboy hat, and went for it."
Now 19, Dillon has a resume filled with stage appearances, the latest as an ensemble member in the North Shore Music Theatre's main stage production of "Bye Bye Birdie." Other local actors include Adam Piispanen of Winchester; Eva Rae Costanza of Burlington; Alex DeLeo of North Reading; Corey Desjardins of Andover; Rachel Fairbanks of Chelmsford; Wendy Mellin of Andover; and Trisha Whitlock of Concord.
Dillon has moved up the ranks since joining the North Shore Music Theatre's Academy of Music Theater, a theater arts and education program for youth, in January 2007. In addition to taking classes in voice, acting, and dance, he was an assistant stage manager and helped run theater programs at local high schools. Now a main stage performer, he'll begin classes at the Boston Conservatory this fall.
Performing "is totally rewarding. It affirms this is what I want to do," Dillon said. "There's a lot of work ahead of me, but here we go."
"Bye Bye Birdie" runs through Aug. 3 at the North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road in Beverly. For ticket information, call 978-232-7200 or visit nsmt.org.
