Raising funds; raising spirits

Oct. 15--PENDLETON -- Like most people nowadays, Laura Eldridge had health insurance when she was diagnosed April 15 with invasive ductal carcinoma, a kind of breast cancer.

But the bills quickly added up over the six months she was on leave from her job as a dental hygienist.

"Even with insurance, we had to pay our $5,000 out-of-pocket on the deductible," the mother of three said. "We were blowing through our savings."

That's why the community came together to host a benefit car and bike show and corn hole tournament Sunday at Pendleton Heights High School. About 85 registered to show off their vehicles.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Eldridge said her mammogram a year ago came back negative. But in April, as she did her breast self-exam, Eldridge found a lump that turned out to be an aggressive form of cancer. The lump grew from 1.4 centimeters to 1.9 centimeters in just a couple of weeks, she said.

"I just wanted to go home. I loaded myself up in the Jeep, and when I got home, I just sat in the driveway and cried," she said.

After a lumpectomy and completing chemotherapy, Eldridge started radiation a couple of weeks ago. She expects to complete that by the end of the month.

"Here we are fighting. I'm in it to win it," she said. "I did get the amazing news two weeks ago that I am cancer free. My journey now is prevention and cure."

Able to return to work part-time a couple of weeks ago, Eldridge said the fundraiser was as much about raising spirits as it was about raising money.

"You have a high like today, and then the next week or two is tough," she said. "With such an amazing turnout, I want to make an annual event of this and give the money to the next person who is diagnosed and needs it."

The most important thing she has learned on her cancer journey, Eldridge said, is it's nearly impossible to go through it alone.

"If people ask to help, let 'em," she said.

Eldridge's stepfather, Chuck Clevenger, said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community.

"There aren't enough words for it," he said.

Roger Phillips, who said he was acquainted with the family, brought his bright purple '55 Chevy to support the car show.

"If you can't help people, you don't have much," he said. "We've been helped before, and it's very important to help others."

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