Cancer Sucks!
Cancer Sucks!
Our Publisher’s Journey to Provide Hope and Strength to Others through her Own Battle
The Ride for Roswell took place earlier this summer, raising $5,603,901 and counting, with all proceeds going towards cancer research to find a cure. This event is particularly important to our small community in which we rally around any one of our residents who is suffering from this disease. One resident in particular, Brenda Perks, is fighting her third battle with cancer.
I’ve known Brenda for many years and have had the good fortune to work with her and for her as a writer for her publication, ellicottvilleNOW. Brenda is a transplant who came to Ellicottville back in the late 90’s. During those early years, Brenda helped two local publications run their papers. She also met and fell in love with Ellicottville native Chris Perks. Chris and Brenda married in 2003 and together they have a son, Mason and a daughter, Taylor. In 2010, Brenda’s business, DesignPerks, launched ‘Ellicottville SNOWED-IN’ - a wintertime newsprint magazine published monthly during Ellicottville’s ski season. Following the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, the publication was transformed into a bi-weekly community newspaper, ellicottvilleNOW.
The Perks family loves being outdoors no matter what season it is, and after a minor accident while snowboarding in 2019, Brenda discovered an extraordinary amount of bruising to her legs and glutes. Trying to get to the source of the bruising, Brenda and Chris went to Olean General’s ER where Brenda was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Brenda was immediately admitted to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo and endured a 29-day treatment program there. Throughout that journey, Brenda showed strength and courage as she navigated this disease. During her 8 months of outpatient treatment, Brenda began running and felt like she offered hope for other people struggling with leukemia.
However, Brenda’s cancer-free days were numbered. In May of 2021, just 1-1/2 years after receiving the “all-clear” from her leukemia battle, a cancerous tumor was discovered in her colon. It was surgically removed and documented as a Stage 2 Low Risk, which thankfully, required no chemotherapy. The end?
Fast forward to Christmas of 2021, and a routine scan uncovered a mass the size of an orange in her right ovary. Brenda was not shy in expressing that bitterness, anger, and a heightened level of fear had set in. How could someone so young and health-conscious be plagued with such deadly diseases rapidly attacking her body all within three years? Brenda found herself yet again fighting for her life, this time enduring 3 days of chemo every other week. As you can imagine, the chemo’s side effects have been debilitating, wreaking havoc on her small body. Starting chemo this past February, Brenda’s 12th and final round of chemo takes place today, Thursday, July 28th. Another scan at the end of August will let her know if these treatments worked to rid her of this deadly disease.
This journey has been a rollercoaster for Brenda and her family. She doesn’t ask for anything, but expresses great appreciation to all those - family, friends, and her community of supporters - who have provided assistance in any way. Brenda is looking forward to closing this chapter and starting a new one, which includes mental clarity and regaining her strength through personal training at Core Performance Fitness Studio. In the truest sense of the word, Brenda is a warrior. She is fighting a battle with an invisible foe and she is gaining ground.
We may never find a cure for cancer in our lifetime, but as a community, we can surely do our part to help the folks we hold so dear battle this disease. Donations to research are always needed and welcomed, but for the individual/families fighting for their lives, donations such as gas cards, meals and kindness go a long way to ease any individual who is struggling to make it through each and every day. Cancer is an ugly disease, but the beauty of a life after cancer is worth fighting for.
Kim Duke is a certified personal trainer and owner of Core Performance Fitness and Training, located at 55 Bristol Lane, Ellicottville, NY. Kim resides in Ellicottville where she raised her two sons, Zach and Nik. For more information about her studio visit her Facebook page or www.coreperformancefitness.com. Kim can be reached directly at 716-698-1198.
