Family dreams of cure for stomach cancer You may remember Tony Leonard, who is A NIGHT OF a father of five and stomach cancer survivor. “I’m not going to lie down,” Leonard was saying 16 1/2 months ago as he recovered from a gastrectomy at Duke University Medical Center, where surgeons removed his stomach and malignant lymph nodes after a MASQUERADE diagnosis of linitis plastica. It is a rare malignancy, an aggressive malignancy, and 2014 hasn’t been kind, either. “Tony is regaining his Benefit gives grown-ups a chance for -up fun strength after a rough year of surgeries and heart problems,” Christy Leonard By Chick Jacobs Organizers of says about her husband. Staff writer the Pinwheel “Unfortunately, he is no The last time Neil Masquerade Bill longer able to work.” Bergman dressed up for include, Tony and Christy Leonard Kirby Jr. , he went trick-or- from left, Neil know just how debilitating treating as the Lone Ranger. Bergman, Tim and life-threatening stomach “He was big on TV at the cancer can be, and despite recent setbacks to Edwards, time,” he said with a grin. Jennifer Taft, his health, they continue to bring awareness to “That was a little while the disease, and this time with a little help back.” Roberta from their 14-year-old son, Austin. This weekend, Bergman Humphries and “This is going to be a great event,” Christy and more than 300 other Howard Leonard says about Nov. 8, when the Leonards adults will wear and Loughlin. will be championing November as North dress up — but candy and Staff photo Carolina’s Curing Stomach Cancer Month as bobbing for apples won’t be by Cindy Burnham proclaimed by Gov. Pat McCrory and endorsed on the agenda. They will be by U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers and part of a far dressier Fayetteville Mayor Nat Halloween weekend activity. Robertson. The Child Advocacy Austin Leonard will unveil a Center plans to dress up the flower bed at 9 a.m. in weekend with its inaugural Park in honor of his father and Pinwheel Masquerade Ball in friend Chanda Holst, a breast downtown Fayetteville. cancer survivor. The Debbie’s Executive Director Roberta PINWHEEL with a pointy ,” she said. and Merle Modlin, and guests Tony Leonard Dream Foundation Curing Humphries says it will give “This is a bit more will be able to bid in silent Stomach Cancer golf tournament grown-ups a chance to cut MASQUERADE BALL sophisticated than that.” and live auctions. will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Gates Four Golf & loose “without the gorilla When: 7 to 10 tonight Taft laughed and Proceeds will support the Country Club. and Freddy Where: Metropolitan Room, Hay countered that climate center’s mission to prevent The entry fee for the captain’s choice Krueger,” she added. and Green streets played a bigger role in her and stop child abuse. The tournament is $320 per team, or $80 per “It’s going to be like a childhood costumes. Child Advocacy Center is a golfer. Tickets for a 5 p.m. range semiformal Halloween Admission: $75 per person or “I grew up in upstate New United Way-supported from $20 to $100 to $250 and include food, for adults. Everyone will be $140 per couple. Some tickets York, and Halloween was organization with works in raffles and prizes, including vacation able to have a great time may be available at the door. always cold,” she said. “My cooperation with 19 other getaways. and support the programs of Information: Call 486-9700 or best was to cut community groups. In the To learn more, send email inquiries to the Child Advocacy Center.” go to childadvocacycenter.com holes in a big box and past year, more than 600 [email protected] or Chairwoman Jennifer Taft myself up as a Christmas child victims of abuse were [email protected] or call 954-475- said the idea of a masked Technically, masks are present. It’s silly, but at least interviewed. 1200. ball grew from a optional for the ball, but Taft it was warm.” “Of those, 222 were under Proceeds from the tournament will go to combination of the time of said she hopes people will There’s no concern about the age of 7,” Humphries Debbie’s Dream Foundation, says Christy year and the desire to “do embrace the theme. chilly temperatures for the said. “We work within the Leonard, who, along with her husband, co- something a little bit “We’re giving adults a masquerade ball, which will community for prevention founded the North Carolina East Chapter of different.” chance to dress up a bit and be in the Metropolitan Room and intervention for these the Debbie’s Dream Foundation Curing “We had sponsored the have some fun. A few are at the old First Citizens children. Stomach Cancer. Blue Jean Ball for several decorating their own masks, Bank. The treats will be A few tickets for the ball “Austin has asked that Tony and Chanda years,” she said. “This year, and many are purchasing provided by eight local may be available at the door. cut the ribbon to present the flower bed to the we thought about doing them. For a lot of people, it’s restaurants and caterers, and “We’re close to selling all city of Fayetteville and dedicate this flower things a little bit different, probably the first time guests are invited to sample tickets,” Humphries said. bed to not just stomach and breast cancer putting the focus on an adult- they’ve had to wear a a pumpkin-themed martini. “It’s been a very popular victims but to all those affected by cancer,” oriented event. in a long time.” “Hey, pumpkin is the event. Everyone enjoys Christy Leonard says. “And together, we’re “When we realized the Humphries nodded in flavor of the year,” Taft said. dressing up a bit and having dreaming big to make the cure for stomach ball would be taking place so agreement, recalling her “Besides, it’s that time of fun.” cancer a reality.” close to Halloween, the idea childhood days at Halloween. year.” Staff writer Chick Jacobs can be Bill Kirby can be reached at [email protected] or sort of clicked. A Halloween “My mother fixed me a Dance lessons will be reached at 486-3515 or 323-4848, ext. 486. for adults fits perfectly.” witch’s costume, all black offered by local experts Chip [email protected]

2E THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER NOVEMBER 1, 2014 SATURDAY EXTRA