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For Rachel

By: Matt Munoz / MAS Staff

Topics: 2009, bakersfield, Bone Marrow Drive, education, leukemia, Mas Magazine, Matt Munoz, Rachel Oroz

Like many people who suffer from chronic illness, Rachel Oroz looks forward to a pain-free day at home and work.

Sadly, she has hadn’t had one in three years.

Diagnosed with leukemia in 2008, the 65-year old wife and mother of three, is currently dealing with life, one day at a time. But don’t tell her she has to slow down.

In fact, Oroz has turned her battle into a battle cry — one that brings awareness and encourages more Latinos to donate blood and sign-up for the National Bone Marrow Registry, two efforts that need significantly more Hispanic donors.

Oroz, who along with her family, owns and operates Manuel’s Auto Body on East 19th Street. But on Oct. 14, business at Manuel’s temporarily changed from repairing cars to potentially repairing lives, as a bone marrow drive was held in an effort to find a marrow match for Oroz or someone else in need.

The drive also served as a learning tool for the local Hispanic community, who officials say need more awareness of the critical need for more Latino blood and bone marrow donors.

Oroz’s daughter, Lisa Clark, spearheaded the effort, teaming up with the City of Hope —  which is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Based out of Duarte, Calif., the center offers treatment for a range of diseases, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, among others.

During the City of Hope’s Bakersfield visit, COH representative Raquel Amezquita set up a temporary “lab” to get people tested during the bone marrow drive. The test included a simple swabbing of the inner sides of both cheeks, and placement of the swabs into an envelope.

The swabs are then sent to a lab to determine if there is bone marrow match for a patient in need. A bone marrow transplant is among the most popular (and often successful) alternative treatments for leukemia.

Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in bones; it is responsible for producing new blood cells in adults. Leukemia sufferers become unable to produce these precious blood cells that are a part of healthy bodily function, including defensive immunity.

Despite experiencing a daily bout of crippling pain, Oroz channels her energies every morning to make her rounds as devoted Mom and hard-working businesswoman.

“I don’t consider myself strong, I’m just stubborn,” laughed Oroz. “If you give up on life, you won’t last long.”

Hopeful words from a woman who suffers from a rare form of leukemia, a cancer of the blood or bone marrow that often goes undetected for years.

According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, there is no known cause as to why people become struck by the disease. It affects both genders and all age groups.

In Oroz’s case, however, the form of the disease she has is considered so rare, doctors told her that there was only one other known case.

“This affects everyone differently,” said Oroz of her fight against the disease. “My mother is a very strong woman — she’s 90 years old, and I have my family. We Latinas are strong, it’s a trait I feel that I have.”

Oroz is also the backbone of the family business, and in many ways, is the backbone of the Oroz family itself — despite her illness.

So when Clark and her siblings learned that their mother was facing leukemia, they also learned what exactly that meant as far as treatment.

“After my mother became ill, we became more educated on the disease,” she said. “We found that there are so few donors in the Hispanic community. They don’t donate blood, or get tested in drives like this often enough. We’re hoping to help spread the word.”

Despite a dreary sky and dusty winds during the bone marrow drive, the support for Oroz and this awareness campaign was evident.

Groups of people happily arrived every few minutes, in groups of two, three, four and all filled out the brief questionnaire/application for testing.

The scene that included old friends hugging, family members taking photographs and some free, healthy snacks as a show of thanks from the Oroz family to all who participated in this cause.

“I saw it being advertised on TV and heard it on the radio,: said Todd Mendiburu of his choice to attend the drive. “And Rachel is my aunt.”
By lunchtime, the crowds continued.

“It’s been great”, said Oroz, smiling during a brief break, before heading back on her feet to speak with visitors. “People are glad to help when you ask them to.”

Oroz also shared another cancer story, one with a positive outcome — her sister, Irma Cornejo, is a breast cancer survivor, and one-year cancer free.

“We’ve all learned to hang in there and do what has to be done,” said Oroz firmly of the unfortunate circumstances her family has been dealt.

Through it, she offers up a surprising take on her journey so far.

“You have to look at it as a blessing,” she said. “After 46 years of marriage, a family that loves to gather at my home for dinner and a few unresolved issues, too  — I still have time.”

*Story printed in MAS Magazine, November - 2009