Anderson neighbors lead Relay for Life fundraising with $10 K

Paul and Sheryl LaBarbera used to raise a nominal amount of money for cancer research at the registers of their business, Burrito Bandito. But when the Anderson couple learned their neighbor, Darryl Wagner, contracted colon cancer, they stepped up their efforts heroically.

"He's made it more immediate in our lives," Paul LaBarbera said.

The Wagner and LaBarbera families joined forces to create the team "Wagner's Walkers," who are pitted in a friendly competition to raise the most money for cancer cure research for the American Cancer Society fund raiser, Relay for Life. The team, which has grown to 30 members, raised $10,551 as of May 21, which was far more than any other team in Shasta County.

"Our team is growing primarily because we're meeting people with experience or a family member of someone who experienced cancer," Wagner said.

"I thought we'd get a together and get our employees involved. I'm more of a follower than a leader, so this has been fun," Sherl LaBarbera said. "The people in this association are serious, serious, serious. They're not going to quit until a cure is found."

Donations can be made to the Wagner's Walkers team at Burrito Bandito. One of the possible prizes for donating $2 includes an opportunity to win a 42-inch plasma TV donated by Best Buy.

"When we learned of our diagnosis, rather than sit around and feeling sorry, we put our energies into something positive, a push for a cure."

Wagner started chemotherapy treatment last week.

"The surgery went very well," he said, "Right now we're proceeding with life as normal, keeping a positive attitude."

The Relay for Life takes place at Shasta College in Redding on May 30, 9 a.m., when members of each team will walk a portion of the 24-hour relay through to May 31 at 9 a.m.

Information about Relay for Life can be found by calling 222-1301.