Christopher Rosales
July 9, 2009
Dear Friends:
The family and friends of Josh Farler wish to thank you for your support once again. The 5th Annual Josh Farler Fight Against Cancer Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament held on May 23rd, 2009 at the John Michelson Hall in Bakersfield, California was another true testament to Bakersfield and Kern County's recurring generosity.
It is with great pride and pleasure that we share with you an accounting of this year's event. Attendees were treated to an enjoyable inside atmosphere, thanks to Local 460's generous donation of the Union Hall, with great food and wholesome family entertainment. Approximately sixty players were vying for the prestigious honor of first place and having their name placed on the perpetual plaque. That distinction was bestowed upon Kenny Cleveland, one of the many friends of the Farler family who participated and he was thrilled to be able to have his win memorialized in Joshes' memory. Kenny won a 46" flat screen TV donated by Wal-Mart.
To recap, Josh was diagnosed at age 19 with testicular cancer while in Idaho, preparing for school. Josh and his parents and brother are originally from Bakersfield but have lived in Yerington, Nevada since Josh was very young. Josh's doctors felt the best care could be obtained at the Norris Cancer center at USC in Los Angeles. Aside from the devastating medical cost, food, gas, motels, and incidentals mount to almost unbelievable proportions. Thus started a trend of fundraisers beginning in Yerington and then to Bakersfield, where Mike Nipper, another Josh cousin, started the Annual Josh Farler Texas Hold'Em tournaments.
The JFMFAC reports that a grand total of all donations received from this year's activities was $10,454.18. A check for $10,000 was presented to the recipient and the balance will be used to fund future fundraisers.
With the help of Dr. Patel and his staff at Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, we received three applications for assistance and one application from the general public.
This year's recipient is 19 year old Christopher Rosales. Chris was diagnosed with colon cancer at 18. He receives a blood thinner shot every day and chemotherapy continuously three days at a time every two weeks. He lives with his grandmother in Bakersfield. When his treatments started, he needed to travel to UCLA once a week for chemotherapy. When Chris first began treatments, he lost his job because he had to be gone so much and was not eligible for unemployment or Social Security because he had not worked long enough. Chris is a very shy, quiet, and greatly appreciative young man.
We are so pleased, with your help, to have been able to help Chris and his family. We feel certain that it would make Josh proud, as are his parents, Jim and Brenda, to know that his memory lives on through each of us who work towards and attend this yearly event in his honor. Again, thank you!
The family and friends of Josh Farler