The Mechanics of Volunteerism: The Joy of Giving Back

(This Item was submitted by Roxanna Sager, Mechanics Bank Corporate Banking Lead Specialist in the Indirect Lending Group.)

“Are you sure?”

That was my stunned reaction when first told I had breast cancer, almost seven years ago.

No one in my family had ever had it. (I only learned recently that ovarian cancer, which felled my mother, is strongly linked genetically to breast cancer.)  I was so shocked that it took a day or two to get my mind around the diagnosis.  

Then I went into fight mode. 

“We’re going to war,” I told myself.  I began peppering my doctor with questions.  “What do we have to do to fix it?” I kept asking.

I learned I was one of the lucky ones. With Stage IIA cancer (meaning it was self-contained and had not spread to my lymph nodes) I had a very good chance of being cured.  I was resolved to do everything needed to beat it.

After a lumpectomy, I went through almost a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Like many cancer patients, I lost all my hair. Determined not to feel sorry for myself, I bought five wigs. I had fun with it—different colors, long and short hair, alternating with beanies and hats.  A young family friend who had lost her own mother to breast cancer astonished me by presenting me with a blonde wig with flowing tresses down to my waist.  That was how she saw me through her 22 year-old eyes!  I wore that wig proudly many, many times.

The day that my doctor told me I was done with the successful treatment, she handed me a brochure showcasing an organization that supports breast cancer research as well as a variety of services for breast cancer patients.   She told me she is passionate about this organization—as is the entire team at Summit.  And that’s how, six years ago, I came to be involved with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, now in its 20th year.  It’s also why, on Saturday, October 20th, I will join my 25+ teammates from the bank and over 22,000 other survivors and their families for the annual fundraising walk at Golden Gate Park. 

Why do I participate? That’s easy to answer. After my lumpectomy, I was supposed to start chemotherapy.  My doctor picked the most effective drug she could find, but the unthinkable happened:  the first time I took it I couldn’t even breathe due to an allergic response!  My doctor put me on steroids for a week, and we tried again; I still couldn’t breathe.  What if because of a stupid allergy, I wouldn’t be able to beat my cancer? But my doctor found another new drug that was showing equal outcomes compared to the first drug prescribed.  I switched and six years later, I’m cancer-free.  I know that without research funding, that alternative drug might not have been available.

I volunteer so I can help other women just like me find the right drug. I volunteer so that one day we will find a cure for breast cancer.  I volunteer so that women like me who’ve lost their hair and can’t afford to buy a wig will be able to get one for free.  And most important of all, I volunteer so I can make a difference, and feel the joy of giving back all the love and support I’ve received from so many. 

For the past three years, my colleagues at Mechanics Bank have joined me in increasing numbers.  Last year, we had 22 employees and family members on “Roxie’s Team Hope.”  We do far more than the walkathon; to supplement our fundraising efforts we create and sell handmade jewelry, greeting cards, and other handiwork.  We host bake sales, luncheons and anything else we can think of to raise money.  Mechanics Bank has been wonderful about allowing us to hold these fundraisers in the workplace and donating various items as needed.  We raised over $5,400 this past year.

On October 20th, over 25 of us will be walking along the beautiful five-mile route around the perimeter of Golden Gate Park, from Stow Lake to sandy ocean beaches. We’ll bring family, friends, kids and dogs—everyone is welcome. If you want to join us, sign up here.  You’re welcome on our team (Roxie’s Team Hope) or you can start your own.

Before I stop, I want to thank some of my wonderful colleagues on Roxie’s Team Hope. Honorable mentions must go to Cristina Wilson, Christyal  Nickell, Phyllis Scipi and her daughter Leanna Rodriguez, and Susan McCall, all of whom have been tirelessly fundraising through bake sales and other activities. Others who will walk this year include Susan’s son Dylan McCall and niece Cassey York;  Judy Godbey and her son Kevin; Julia Beach; Yezmin Gomez; Sandy Helems;  Marie Manangan;  Nancy Thatcher; and  Kavi Kaur, a lovely woman, who, like me, is a survivor who attended the American Cancer Society-hosted kickoff breakfast at the Oakland Marriott and will be joining our team for the walk.

If you want to join us in making a difference in the fight against breast cancer, please visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/. You can join a team (you’re welcome to join ours!), start your own team, or make a donation to a team of your choosing.  I especially hope you will join us on the walk—it’s nice and flat and takes just 90 minutes to complete.  You’ll have a great time for a great cause!

(The Mechanics of Volunteering is written by employees of Mechanics Bank to show readers how easy and rewarding it is to volunteer in our community. If you’re with a nonprofit that is looking for additional volunteers, go to www.mechanicsbankcares.com where we’ll try to match your needs with our employee volunteers. If you have questions for Roxanna or Mechanics Bank, click here.)