
DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997                TAG: 9704180595

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   89 lines

A LONGTIME CANCER BENEFACTOR SUBJECT OF WEEKEND FUND-RAISER

As he has so many times before, Tracy L. Clymer will spend his weekend raising money to fight cancer.

But this time, the fund-raiser is for him.

The 38-year-old community liaison for Chesapeake General Hospital's Comfortcare Home Health Services was diagnosed with cancer last October, just days after returning from his honeymoon.

While he undergoes chemotherapy and innovative treatments, friends and colleagues are raising money for cancer research.

``I'm not going to settle for treatment,'' Clymer said. ``I want the cure, and help for all others who have cancer.''

Clymer is on disability leave from his job, a job closely involved with the day-to-day needs of sick people - diabetes counseling, physical therapy, household chores and the like.

Clymer also served on the first board of Chesapeake General Hospital's Comfortcare Hospice Council and the Chesapeake Care Free Clinic. And he has raised money for a long list of charity groups.

In 1995, Clymer called on Darren Perry, who plays football for the Pittsburgh Steelers, to establish ``Intercept for Care.'' Perry agreed to donate $500 to the Chesapeake Care Clinic for every interception he made during the season. Through matching community donations, almost $12,000 was raised.

In June, the sixth annual William Fuller Celebrity Golf Tournament, which Clymer established, will be held in Virginia Beach. It also benefits the clinic. Fuller, formerly a Philadelphia Eagle, will play for the San Diego Chargers this year.

Because Clymer's grandparents died from cancer, the American Cancer Society has always been a special cause for him, Clymer said. He even met his wife, Pamela, at a ``Relay for Life'' cancer benefit.

``I've always thought of cancer,'' Clymer said. ``But in the terms of promoting research or assisting others through my job or through the hospice program. I never thought about my having the disease.''

Clymer's friends are helping.

His fellow employees at Chesapeake General Hospital donated more than 30 leave days since he has used all his time for his wedding. Hospital employees also created a fund at the Bank of Hampton Roads to assist with expenses.

His friend Daniel S. Transfiguracion, a world-class power lifter and holder of several national titles, is organizing a weight-lifting competition at Chesapeake General's Lifestyle Fitness Center Saturday.

The event is a bench press repetition contest in which men attempt to bench press their body weight and women half their body weight as many times as possible. Weighing 130 pounds, Transfiguracion's record lift is 365 pounds.

``Everyone will really be a winner,'' Transfiguracion said. ``By participating, we are contributing to the battle against cancer.''

The most important work people can do to fight cancer comes before diagnosis, Clymer said.

The battle begins with timely health examinations and second opinions, he said.

Clymer began to notice a loss of breath and a lack of energy last year. A cursory checkup did not reveal any major concerns. Although one doctor suggested depression, Clymer knew better. He felt good about his life: He liked his job; Micah, his son, was an honor student at Liberty University; he was engaged to be married.

But after he and his new wife returned from their honeymoon in October, Clymer was urged to schedule another appointment.

Several days later, Dr. Vianmare Pasqual, his father-in-law, told the family that tests showed colon and liver cancer. Clymer's doctors scheduled an appointment for him at the Duke University Medical Center hospital the next day. After surgery and chemotherapy, Clymer returned home to more than 500 cards and letters.

In March, Clymer went to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta for more surgery and to have a chemotherapy pump implanted in his side.

He said his strength comes from his family, the outpouring of friends, co-workers, his church - Thalia United Methodist Church - and even the prayers of strangers.

``I think I'm lucky,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by STEVE EARLEY/The Virginian-Pilot

Daniel S. Transfiguracion, left, is sponsoring a weight-lifting

competition to raise money for cancer research Saturday. Tracy L.

Clymer, right, was recently diagnosed with cancer. He has raised

money for cancer in the past.

Graphic

TO COMPETE

The power-lifting contest to benefit Tracy L. Clymer will be at

Chesapeake General Hospital's Lifestyle and Fitness Center. There is

a $25 registration fee. Weigh-ins for five weight classes begin at

11 a.m. The competition will begin at 1 p.m. Call Daniel

Transfiguracion at 547-9541 for more details. KEYWORDS: FUNDRAISER CANCER