Michael Maldonado
September 12, 2010
Dear Friends
The family and friends of Josh Farler wish to thank you for your support, once again. The 6th annual Josh Farler Memorial "Fight Against Cancer" / Texas Hold'em Poker tournament held on June 12, 2010 at the Johnny Michelson Hall in Bakersfield, Ca. was another testament to Bakersfield and Kern County's continuing generosity. We could not have such great success without our wonderful sponsors.
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. While the kids were playing outside on the toys Kiddie Amusement generously provided, approximately seventy five players were vying for the prestigious honor of first place which came with a $1,000 gift card and their name placed on our perpetual plaque. That distinction was bestowed upon Robert Brewster. Rob fought a hard battle all day and came out first place and the 6th name to be added to our plaque. Congratulations Rob!!. Rob was not the only winner, just the biggest one. Everyone at the head table won a very nice prize thanks to the generous and faithful sponsor WalMart.
To recap, Josh was diagnosed at age 19 with testicular cancer while preparing for college. Josh and his parents and brother Matt, are originally from Bakersfield but had moved to Yerington, Nv., when the boys were young. Josh's doctors felt the best care could be obtained at the Norris Cancer center in USC in Los Angeles, and so started the long, and expensive trips, treatment and surgeries-traveling to and from Yerington to L.A. Aside from the devastating medical cost, food, gas, motels, and incidentals mount to almost unbelievable proportions. Thus started a trend of fundraisers beginning for Josh in Bakersfield, where Mike Nipper, another Josh cousin, held the first Poker tournament. Josh lost his battle 12/26/2005.
The JFMFAC reports that a grand total of all donations received from this year's activities was $12,327.00. With the help of Dr. Patel and his staff at Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, we received one application for assistance and three applications from the general public. It was a very difficult job deciding where these funds would go. After much consideration a $10,000 check was presented to Michael Maldonado a 19 year old diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Michael was attending college, working towards a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and looking forward to working for the DEA. He was also into body-building and won sponsorships and promotions on the Internet for his success on the website: teenbodybuilding.com. These dreams have been put on hold while Michael continues to have chemotherapy and radiation twice a month in Loma Linda, California. We wish him the very best and our prayers go with him.
We are so pleased, with your help, to have been able to help Michael 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, one and all.
The family and friends of Josh Farler