Community rallies to aid cancer-striken woman

Holly (Greene) Gordon is fighting for her life. The 42-year-old registered nurse, who grew up in the Sisters Country, is battling advanced cancer. Her family and the entire Central Oregon community is rallying behind her in her battle, planning fundraisers and donations to help her family with medical bills.

Holly went to school at Sisters elementary and middle schools, and graduated in 1987 from Redmond High School. She was heavily involved in athletics and 4-H, with a passion for horses.

She had a 20-year nursing career and was working in the emergency room at St. Charles Medical Center, Redmond, at the time of her diagnosis in December 2010. According to her family, days before Christmas, she was diagnosed with Stage II cervical cancer.

Initial treatments seemed to be successful, yet on June 14, her life was turned upside down a second time when PET scan results indicated that the cancer had returned and was spreading rapidly throughout her body. Her family reports that cancer has advanced to Stage IV, and the doctors are giving her a prognosis of one year on systemic chemotherapy.

Holly, daughter of Richard Greene of Richard's Produce in Sisters, is married and has a 4-year-old son, Evan (aka Batman) Gordon.

In a letter to friends, family and supporters, her family wrote: "With the support and encouragement from her family and friends, Holly is determined to continue this battle and is committed to attacking her opponent from all angles! Holly cannot fight this fight alone.

We are recruiting as much help as we can.

We have a goal to raise $100,000.

All donations, big and small, are beyond appreciated and will be 100 percent allocated to supporting Holly's family with medical bills.

After we allocate to Holly's bills/treatment, we will be starting an education fund for her son Evan.

Also, any excess money funded will be used to fight Holly's cancer recurrences and aid in helping others with their own cancer struggles..."

A donation account has been set up at U.S. Bank under the name Holly Ann Gordon.

There will be a benefit golf tournament at Aspen Lakes on August 11. Golfers may participate for $100. Sign up at http://teamholly.eventbrite.com.

Additionally, family and friends are planning a fundraising dinner and silent auction on Friday, August 12.

The event will be held at a private residence at 66295 Highway 20 (halfway between Tumalo and Sisters) from 5 to 10 p.m. Requested admission donation is $25 per person/$50 for a family with children. A silent auction will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Checks and cash only accepted. To donate to the silent auction, contact Debbie Ritzenthaler, 541-420-8781, or email [email protected]

band.com (preferably before August 7). Attire is Hawaiian. There will be a pasta dinner, desserts and entertainment by The Oxford Band. For tickets contact Yvonne Houser 541-419-5159 or 541-317-8414. Make checks payable to Holly Gordon. All proceeds will be deposited at U.S. Bank.

For more information visit Holly's sites: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hollygordon, or http://hollybeatscancer.blogspot.com.