Inspired by Cancer Thrivers, BfC Digs Deep Into the Happy Hurt Locker, Wins the Dana Point Grand Prix

Dana Point, CA. They've done it again. Another clean sweep of the podium by the Breakaway from Cancer masters racing team, but this time, it was personal.



A Clean Sweep.
Roger Worthington, Steve Strickler
 and Thurlow Rogers

 "I had a chance to meet this young boy Tyler Cordova before the race," said Steve Strickler, beaming with pride after winning a hard-fought race.. "He had this big smile on his face. He told me had had over 10 surgeries but recently he got some very good news -- that his Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was in remission. I was so happy that he was so happy that I was a chin quiver away from bursting out with tears of joy. "

"In the race I kept thinking how lucky I was to have the privilege of being able to suffer on my terms. To win a big race, you have to want to go deep into that hurt locker if you want to come out the winner. It's ironic, but to do your best you have to be ready put your body through the ringer -- pain is simply the price winners have to pay," Strickler explained, struggling for the words. "My suffering was nothing compared to what this young champion Tyler has had to endure - that ugly, involuntary, stupid pain that only seems to beget more pain, with no reward. I kept telling myself that young Tyler would love to have the chance to experience that good kind of cathartic suffering."

Just as it took a team of front line doctors, benchwork scientists, caregivers, drug companies, friends and especially family to give 10 year old Tyler a fighting chance to break away from Cancer, it took a team effort to launch Strickler to victory. From the gun, BfC took control of the race, attacking repeatedly in the effort to wear down the field. When the peloton began stretching thin, BfC teammates Thurlow Rogers and Strickler sensed the moment and busted off the front, gaining a quick ten second advantage. 

The peloton winding through
downtown Dana Point on
an idyllic Sunday afternoon

Every racer dreams of breaking away, just as every cancer patient dreams of breaking clear of cancer's ugly grip. But for a breakaway to succeed, it takes a combination of team tactics, individual grit, and luck. Strickler and Rogers, a 1984 Olympian, began working in tandem off the front, expertly shaving the corners and efficiently taking turns at the point in the wind.

Meanwhile, in the peloton, the BfC boys were stuffing the corners, chasing down bridge attempts, and stifling fledgling efforts by the other teams to mount a serious chase. Finally, with three laps remaining in the six turn, .9 mile course in beautiful downtown Dana Point, the peloton accepted its fate that on this day this breakaway was just too strong and too motivated. They conceded and turned their attention to winning the field sprint for third.

Up the road, as Strickler and Thurlow ramped down the home stretch to the finish line, the only question among these two long time friends and warriors was who was going to get the win. Each magnanimously braked for the other but in a "photo finish" the camera gave Strickler the edge. When a team races together as a team, each member gets to share the glory.



Roger Worthington on the
point of the spear

Teammate Roger Worthington, too, found motivation in the heroic pursuit for more life by those courageous men and women stricken with cancer. The previous night, the Pacific Meso Center and Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer sponsored a fundraiser for cancer research and awareness.  Several mesothelioma patients, although hurting, overcame the pain and inconvenience to travel to the Dana Point Yacht Club to support the noble cause. Worthington was moved by the resiliency, faith, hope and optimism of these brave souls for whom quitting was never an option.

Worthington attacked with two turns to go and rode in for third, completing the clean sweep by Breakaway from Cancer. The entire Breakaway from Cancer team dedicated the win to Tyler Cordova and mesothelioma survivors Terry Latham (Dana Point), Jacob Jager (San Clemente), Bob Vitale (Palos Verdes), Geno Stirone (Mission Viejo), David Theobold and Nasseem Faraq.

The BfC masters racing team wishes to thank Amgen, the City of Dana Point and the Pacific Meso Center for putting on a wonderful weekend. The highlight of day, however, was not winning the race. Instead, it was walking in solidarity with young Tyler as well as several mesothelioma patients down the home stretch across the finish line as thousands of fans cheered in support. For the record, Strickler, who walked with the survivors, did not let Tyler cross the finish line in first -- our young hero gutted up and took it!

5/4/2011

PS. We're still counting, but so far it looks like the Breakaway from Cancer gala raised just south of $50,000 for the evening. Thank you! Trickle down philanthropy is alive and well in Dana Point! Heartwarming to note that the biggest donors were cancer survivors and family members.

Clare Cameron (Pacific Meso Center), Holly Cordova,
Tyler Cordova, Dana Point Mayor Scott Schoeffel and
Nurse Practitioner Anne Rorie



Beware of Deceptive Marketing Tactics Targeting Military Veterans

We have previously commented on the lengths to which many law firms are willing to go to reach the 2,500 or so Americans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma in an article entitled “Beware of Madison Avenue Meso Lawyers”. In the article, we focused on the massive advertising budgets of certain firms, some in excess of $10 million, which have resulted in the airwaves being flooded with incessant commercials. Recently, we have noticed an even more disturbing effort in which firms are using deceptive tactics targeting mesothelioma patients who served in the U.S. military.

Statistics show that about 30% of mesothelioma patients in the U.S. were exposed to asbestos while serving in military, primarily in the Navy. In an effort to induce these newly diagnosed patients to contact them, many firms are engaging in tactics that prey upon the vulnerable veterans' sense of brotherhood with fellow veterans and the need for financial and medical resources to fight their disease.

The Classic “Bait and Switch”

One of the tactics involves law firms which run ads or maintain websites on behalf of what appear to be veterans’ assistance agencies. While the ads or websites are filled with pictures of American flags, Navy ships and service men and women in uniform, conspicuously absent is the name or any reference to the law firm underwriting the marketing effort. The ruse would have the veteran believe that the so-called agency is aligned with, if not part of, the Veterans’ Administration itself.

The “agencies” offer free resources to military veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. The resources commonly include assistance submitting claims for VA benefits. It isn’t until an unsuspecting patient contacts the “agency” that its “true colors” are revealed.

Patients who either call or submit a “free resources” request are quickly referred to an attorney at the law firm responsible for the ad or website. While the attorney may pay lip service to the patient’s interest in submitting a claim for VA benefits (which, as discussed below, does not require an attorney), the focus soon turns to getting the patient to hire the law firm to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the patient doesn’t immediately sign with the firm, which could be located across the country from the patient’s home, the firm will often hound the patient with non-stop phone calls until the patient finally relents.

“I Love a Man in a Uniform”

Another tactic involves law firms hiring retired military officers to make their firm more appealable to military veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. The retired officers are not attorneys and therefore do not work on client cases (there are laws against non-attorneys practicing law). Accordingly, the involvement of the retired officers is typically limited to what can only be described as “client acquisition” functions.

Some firms promote the availability of their on-staff retired officers, complete with pictures of the officers in their dress blues or whites, to answer questions about benefits available to veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. However, once a patient calls or submits an information request form, the conversation inevitably turns to getting the patient to hire the law firm to handle a personal injury lawsuit, followed by non-stop phone calls from the firm.

Some law firms have resorted to using their on-staff retired officers as “closers,” sending the officers out to meet with veterans who have contacted the firm. The marketing strategy is simple – the firm is betting that, in the tradition of esprit de corp, the veteran will more likely bond with and trust a fellow serviceman than an attorney. The gambit also has the advantage of promoting the perception that a firm that employs a polished retired officer is somehow uniquely qualified to handle a military veteran’s case. Typically, it is not until weeks or months after the firm is hired that the client learns that the retired officer, who is not an attorney, will not be working on their case.

Veterans’ Legal Rights

Central to the success of the deceptive marketing tactics targeting veterans is the perception that persons exposed to asbestos in the military possess legal rights which are substantially different than those possessed by non-veterans. This simply isn’t true.

All asbestos injury cases involve claims against the manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos products. Claims against solvent entities must be brought in state or federal court, and claims against bankrupt entities must be submitted to the asbestos bankruptcy trust for those entities that have them. Persons who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military do not have the right to bring a lawsuit against the military or the federal government. Accordingly, the “legal” rights of persons with asbestos illness who were exposed in the military are no different than those who were exposed outside the military.

While it is true that persons exposed in the military have the right to apply for VA benefits, it should be understood that a claim for VA benefits is completely separate from a lawsuit. It involves the submission of forms to the VA. The forms are designed to be completed without the assistance of an attorney and, in fact, the vast majority of veterans complete the forms without attorney assistance. The amount of benefits are based entirely on VA guidelines – there is little or no room for negotiation. While it’s true that every penny counts, the amount of recoverable VA benefits pales dramatically in comparison to the amount that can be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit.

There’s No Substitute For Experience

Offers of "free" assistance with claims for VA benefits and the presence of on-staff retired military officers can be very seductive to a veteran recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. However, neither of these hallow offerings do much if anything to address what a newly diagnosed patient really needs.

Second only to prompt access to the most promising medical treatment is a patient’s need for prompt recovery of financial resources to cover the extraordinary medical and non-medical costs of fighting mesothelioma. Assistance with VA forms which patients can complete on their own, and the presence of retired non-attorney military officers who do not work on the actual lawsuits which are by far the greatest source of financial recovery, do little to address this need.

A mesothelioma patient’s financial needs are best served by a personal injury lawsuit handled by experienced asbestos attorneys with a proven track record of prompt and successful recoveries for their clients.

Can you be sure that law firms hiding behind deceptive so-called veterans’ assistance agencies or retired non-attorney military officers have this experience?

The Worthington Firm’s Experience Representing Military Veterans

For the past 20 years, the Worthington Law Firm has dedicated its practice to the representation of mesothelioma victims. Over this time, we have represented hundreds of veterans. In fact, approximately 50% of our clients were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military, most often the Navy. The recoveries for our military clients have consistently been among the largest in the country.

Our success in Navy cases is based in large part on the knowledge we have acquired over the years regarding Navy ships, when their hulls were laid down, when they launched for button-down cruises, where they ported or dry-docked for overhauls and conversions, and the identity and operation of the pumps, valves, turbines, boilers, catapults, heat exchangers etc. that were used on them.

Attorney Roger Worthington has been a long-time advocate for military veterans stricken with asbestos disease and has written frequently on the topic.

A Salute to Navy Veterans With Asbestos Cancer (2/2009)

Navy Veterans Heavily Exposed to Asbestos on Ships, but Bail Out Bill Undermines Right to Fair Compensation (7/2006)

Serving Navy Veterans with Asbestos Cancer through Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (10/2004) 

For the Sake of Our Heroes -- A Mesothelioma Medical Research Program

Recommendation for a National Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Program - Description and Legislative Language (3/2004)

MARF Advocates Creation of CDMRP for Mesothelioma Through DOD and DVA (2004-2005)

Asbestos Victim Protest Letters (2003-2005)

Mr. Worthington is also very proud to have received the following endorsement from Lt. Col. James Zumwalt, USMCR, whose father Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., died from mesothelioma in January 2000:

"There is nothing so devastating as hearing the diagnosis a loved one has meso. It is at such a time a family needs guidance not only on legal issues but, more importantly, on methods of treatment. Because Roger Worthington has witnessed firsthand the suffering of mesothelioma victims, he established and funded MARF--a foundation focusing on finding a cure for this deadly disease. This has resulted in MARF attracting some of the most experienced medical authorities in mesothelioma treatment. I know of no other lawyer in America who funds a foundation on his own which, if successful, would minimize his potential client base. But Roger recognized a responsibility to mesothelioma victims that transcended the courtroom. As such, while he is an extraordinary advocate for clients throughout the litigation process, he has also become an extraordinary advocate, on behalf of all mesothelioma victims, within the halls of Congress as he has sought federal funding for R&D to find an ultimate cure for meso. No client could ask more of a legal advocate."

The Worthington Firm believes that America’s military veterans deserve our utmost gratitude and respect for their selfless service to their country. Veterans who contract mesothelioma were never privy to the information which asbestos companies knew about the deadly consequences of exposure to dust from the products they supplied to the military. This, in and of itself, was a tremendous betrayal of the trust and respect owed to our veterans. We find that the deceptive marketing tactics which some law firms are now using to target veterans with mesothelioma simply add insult to this injury.

John Caron

May 1, 2011

68 Year-Old Larry Melendrez: This Win’s for You!

Aron Gadhia (l) and Richard Meeker
winning at Redlands

Breakaway From Cancer again swept the podium at the legendary Redlands Classic criterium and dedicated the big win to a big man who could use a big boost right now – Larry Melendrez, a 68 year-old retired machinist who has malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.



Larry and Mary Melendrez, who have been married 46 years and live in La Mirada, California were living the good life until the recent cancer diagnosis.  Larry was a standout high school football player. He loved football so much that when his Catholic prep school dropped it’s program in his sophomore year, Larry transferred to Bishop Cantwell High in Montebello and happily rode the city bus each day over one hour each way.



Larry Melendrez

Four decades later, years after watching his own boys play, Larry is still driving to nearby high schools with a buddy to support the local football and baseball prepsters.He’s a devoted Notre Dame Golden Domer and Angels fan. His dedication to sports is second only to his loving devotion to his wife, family and church. After spending 25 years working as a foreman in a pipe company, he had “retired” to doing “handy man” chores at his church for the past decade.

His mesothelioma diagnosis knocked him down but with the help of his family Larry got up. He was planning on aggressive treatments that included surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, Larry recently learned that his mesothelioma tumor had spread to the point that surgery was no longer an option.



Winner's Podium
(l to r) Aron Gadhia,
Richard Meeker and
Steve Strickler

This will be a rough time for Larry and his family. Breakaway from Cancer, which learned of Larry’s plight before the race, dedicated the race to Mr. Melendrez. “The guys were fired up, “ said Steve Strickler. “We knew Larry was hurting. We wanted to go the extra mile to win this race for the Melendrez family.”

With a lap to go in the 25 lap race on the .8 mile, 5 turn course, BfC charged to the front. Strickler dove down the backside with teammates Richard Meeker and Aron Gadhia on his wheel. Out of the final turn Gadhia and Meeker slungshot off of Strickler’s wheel and ramped the final sprint for a 1-2 finish. A very fired up Strickler put off the pain long enough to cross the line in 3rd place – an amazing feat for a lead out man.

“We love the strategy, speed, skill and teamwork it takes to win a bike race, “said a jubilant Richard Meeker. “But not for a moment do we think winning a bike race is anywhere near as hard as breaking away from cancer. We know the road ahead for Larry Melendrez will be uphill and full of hazards. We hope our little win will help boost their morale as they soldier on.”

4/10/11 

Breakaway from Cancer Masters Team is sponsored by Amgen, UBS, the Pacific Meso Center, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and others. For more information about the Breakaway from Cancer/UBS/PMC elite masters team, click here



The Melendrez Family



70 Year-Old Terry Latham: A Life Spent Beating Bullies with Strength, Honor and Kindness. Dana Point, CA

As a teen in Oxfordshire, England, 70 year-old Terry Latham excelled in sports. “I was tall and tough,” he recalls with a grin. “I played rugby. I was fast. I set all kinds of records. Looking back, sports saved me.”

From 1948 to 1959, Terry lived and attended school at the Kingham Hill School Orphanage, a place that valued basic survival skills. He both avoided and ended many a scrape, thanks in part to his strength and cunning. He learned that bullys were simply cowards with brawn and once he overcame his fears they were just another bump in the road.

Since childhood Terry has honed his mind and body to deal with external threats. Through his 60s and 70s, he continued to exercise with near religious devotion. Recently, Terry was introduced to a bully of another kind. One not so easy to duck, dodge or knock down.

On March 22, 2010, with a simple, yet profound, “I’m sorry” from his pulmonologist, Terry and his lovely wife, Mary, were told that he had malignant pleural mesothelioma. What began as an annoying cough worsened until it was affecting him all the time, “I sing deeply (and “beautifully” added Mary!), but started coughing on the high notes,” explained Terry. “I began feeling a lot of pressure in my chest.” Click here for the rest of the story.

Breakaway From Cancer Masters Team Honors Eugene Stirone of Mission Viejo, CA: Never Give Up!

Murietta, CA. After a rough start, the Breakaway from Cancer (BfC) Masters Bike Racing team rallied on the third and final stage of the 2011 Tour De Murrieta to sweep the top three podium spots.

The fired-up team dedicated the hard fought sweep to charismatic cancer survivor Eugene “Gene” Stirone, age 69, of Mission Viejo, California. Gene's story is compelling. In 2008, he overcame late stage prostrate cancer and just when he thought he was home free he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lung linings caused by asbestos.

Gene, a US Navy Veteran, took the bad news in stride. He was advised that mesothelioma was incurable, but he had heard that before from his prostate doctors. He bore down and got busy finding the best doctor while not forgetting to do his part to enjoy each precious moment of his otherwise wonderful life.

Gene consulted with three surgeons: two wanted to amputate his lung, the other wanted to leave it be and focus on stripping out the visible tumor surrounding his lung. Gene chose to keep his lung and hired the doctor who erred on keeping a vital and perfectly health organ in place – Dr. Robert Cameron of UCLA Medical School.

After a successful surgery, followed by aggressive radiation and interferon treatments, Gene returned to the gym where he worked out with weights. He rode his bike to the beach, played golf, sailed and enjoyed his daily walks. Unfortunately, just when his future looked brightest, of all things, his prostrate cancer reared it’s ugly head.

Gene again took the bad news in stride. He had his son by side and his sense of humor in tact. Gene describes his 26 year old son Vince as his "best friend." Vince plays in a rock band and, as Gene proudly reports, he’s even able to help pay the bills around the house. Inspired by Vince’s "live your dreams" example, Gene recently took up piano lessons, which he credits for soothing his soul and getting his mind off of his increasing discomfort.

After the first stage of the Tour de Murrieta, BfC’s Richard Meeker was tops on the leader board, while mates Thurlow Rogers and Roger Worthington were 6th and 7th. Meeker spent the next two days launching, attacking, bridging, blocking, decoying and all but cradling Rogers and Worthington.

It was a total team effort,” said Meeker, many times a masters national champion. “I knew after the time trial I had excellent form. The goal was not simply for me to win but for our team to sweep the podium. That’s what a team’s all about – a combination of focused individual effort and cunning team work.”

Meeker helped Thurlow win the criterium in a breakaway and in the circuit race, Meeker, Thurlow, Steve Strickler, Malcolm Hill and Peter Sullivan stymied all chase groups so that Worthington could could escape off the front for the win, which helped him leapfrog into 3rd place overall.

"We never gave up," said Meeker. "This win goes to Gene Stirone, a tough, resilient guy who never gives up. If a smile or laughter could kill cancer, Gene would live forever."

March 18, 2011

Breakaway from Cancer Masters Team is sponsored by Amgen, UBS, the Pacific Meso Center, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and others. For more information about the Breakaway from Cancer/UBS/PMC elite masters team, click here

Save the Date! Breakaway from Cancer, April 30, 2011

Dana Point, CA. Attention cancer patients, caregivers, doctors and sports fans: Have we got a weekend for you!

The Dana Point Community Cycling Foundation (DPCCF) is pleased to invite you to join us celebrate life, family, friends and fitness on April 30, 2011 at a cancer fundraiser at the Dana Point Yacht Club.

The evening will include food, beverages, a silent auction and a roster of inspiring cancer survivors, physicians, professional bike racers and advocates. The doors open at 6 pm and close around 8 pm. The Dana Point Yacht Club is located on the island in the breathtakingly beautiful Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $60.

All proceeds from the gala will be donated to Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer initiative, the Pacific Meso Center and the DPCCF.

The fun and festivities continue the next day, Sunday, May 1, 2011 when thousands of bike racers of all ages, families, fans and friends will take to the clean streets of downtown Dana Point for the 5th Annual Pro-Am Breakaway from Cancer Dana Point Grand Prix.

The day will feature non-stop highlights, including the always action-packed kids races, the men's pro race and, for the first time, the Breakaway Walk, in which cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to parade down the finish stretch of the race course. Bring your cameras! For details, click here

Please join us. This will be an unforgettable experience that will combine sport and charity. On Saturday night, raise a toast to more and better life as we watch the sun dip down over the Pacific Ocean. On Sunday, put on your game face, whether it's to race your bike, walk with your chest out and chin up, or simply to spectate and support worthy charities.

For more information about the Breakaway from Cancer Fundraiser, click here.

For more information about the Breakway from Cancer Dana Point Grand Prix, click here. Cancer survivors, bike racers and sports fans: this weekend's for you! We appreciate your support.

Don't sit back, attack!

Breakaway From Cancer/Pacific Meso Center Dedicates Win to Wally and Charlotte Miller

Callville Bay, Nevada. Roger Worthington, racing for Breakaway from Cancer/Pacific Meso Center, won the three day Callville Bay Classic in the 45+ masters division this weekend and dedicated the victory to Wally and Charlotte Miller of Eugene, Oregon.

"Wally Miller inspired me," said Worthington. "A plumber for over 50 years, he married his high school sweetheart, built houses and earned a reputation for taking the initiative, cooperating with others, and keeping the faith. Right up to his last breath, Wally showed amazing grit and grace."

Mr. Miller had been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in December of 2010. Unfortunately, the diagnosis came too late for Mr. Miller to pursue reasonable treatment options. He passed away a few months later, still full of life, but out of breath, at the age of 70.

Worthington notes that it's the mission of the Pacific Meso Center to educate both patients and doctors on life-extending and lung-sparing surgical options, but any treatments must be predicated on a firm diagnosis. Mr. Miller began showing symptoms months before his diagnosis, but unfortunately, despite many doctors visits, a final diagnosis had eluded him.

Mr. Miller is survived by Charlotte, his beloved wife of 51 years, four children and ten grandchildren. Wally left a big footprint on this Earth. He earned a reputation among his employees and fellow contractors for demanding and rallying his crew to achieve the highest quality work. A quick wit with a self-deprecating sense of humor, even in his final days he managed to make his family and many visitors laugh.

"On his final day, as he lay in bed in the house he built," recalled Worthington, "Wally let his sinewy muscles go slack and he whispered softly, 'I'm outta here.' When I hit the summit of the climb in the time trial, my lungs gasping and my legs screaming to stop, I thought of Wally, turned to the pain, and told it to back off, that I was "outta here...'"

Worthington managed to eek out a 2 second gap over his nearest rival, which he sustained over the next two days for the overall stage race victory. Breakaway from Cancer is an initiative of Amgen, Inc, whose mission is to increase awareness of resources available to cancer patients, from prevention through survivorship. http://www.breakawayfromcancer.com/index.html