By Tracy Smith
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
She thought the pain was just a hernia, something that could be treated. But after a series of tests ruled that out, the doctor at GBMC recommended she have a biopsy. The last thing Mary Bondura was expecting to hear was that she had cancer.
Bondura remembers that day in 2001 like it was yesterday. The feelings of being scared to death are etched in her memory.
“I didn’t accept it,” the 56-year-old Perry Hall resident said. “I couldn’t believe this was happening to me.”
Initially, she bottled up her emotions and even went through a period of depression.
“Fifteen years ago, when you heard the word ‘cancer,’ it felt like a death sentence,” Bondura said. “But it isn’t a death sentence.”
Bondura, who is currently in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, reached out to help other cancer patients this weekend by volunteering at Legacy Chase – GBMC’s premiere event that seeks to raise both awareness and funds that help provide care and services to oncology patients and their families.
Nestled in the beautiful country setting at Shawan Downs in Cockeysville, participants enjoyed steeplechase horse races, children’s activities, food trucks and various vendors.
The event was expected to draw close to 10,000 people, according to Jenny Coldiron, vice president of philanthropy at GBMC.
Adding anticipation and a need for more volunteers this year, GBMC set out to break the Guinness World Record for the longest awareness ribbon. Cancer survivors and their families joined others in holding up portions of the lavender ribbon that stretched a mile and half across the infield.
“It was easy to get volunteers because GBMC has such wonderful community support,” said John Chessare, the president and CEO of the Baltimore-based medical center.
Cancer survivor Yurika Dollar was counted among the volunteers that held the awareness ribbon.
“My two-year anniversary of being cancer-free is coming up in November,” Dollar said. “It’s really personal and our family is here to support us.”
The crowd cheered when Christina Conlon, an official adjudicator for Guinness World Record, announced that with a length of 7,953 feet 1 inch, GBMC succeeded in setting a new Guinness World Records title for the longest awareness ribbon.
Although there were many family activities available such as face painting, pony rides, and even a stick pony race for children, some spectators were content to enjoy their picnic lunch while watching the steeplechase horse races.
Jim Moschetti came with his friend Tim Dahl. It was their first time at the Legacy Chase but they plan on making it a yearly tradition now.
“I’ve always been interested in horses and this touches home because I have two family members that are cancer survivors,” Moschetti said.
“I like the races and it’s fun to watch the horses,” Dahl added. “I don’t have a family member with cancer, but I support GBMC in how they are bringing awareness.”
What many attendees may not realize is that GBMC has a commitment to patient care that has extended well-beyond their main campus on North Charles Street in Baltimore. By joining with Gilchrist Global Partnership, the hospital is helping to raise funds for their hospice partner in Tanzania, Africa.
Robin Stocksdale, Tanzania coordinator for Gilchrist Services, has participated in the Legacy Chase for the past four years. By selling authentic African jewelry, dolls and other unique items, they are able to inform others regarding the needs in under-developed countries, as well as raise money for various needs.
Each year, through sales, donations, staff contributions, concerts, and events like the Legacy Chase, they raise about $57,000, according to Stocksdale.
“We use the funds for emergency hospitalization for dying patients, medication, scholarships for kids, and we also fund 100 percent of staff salaries in Tanzania,” Stocksdale said.
The 16th annual Legacy Chase is over. The vendors have packed up. The tents have been disassembled. The horses have been transported back to their farms.
But the challenges that oncology patients and their families face will continue.
Like so many others, Mary Bondura will continue to fight her cancer. It’s true that a fear comes over her before every scan, but she’s not giving up. She made a decision 15 years ago to live.
“Life is precious and we all get handed our hurdles,” she said. “Jump over them and keep going because there is always hope.”