9.29.12: The Dalles annual Pig Bowl

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What: On September 29th, a Saturday, the Annual Pig Bowl football game will happen. This year is a mile stone: as it will be their 10th anniversary and the 4th for Cloud City Garrison.

Where:  The event will be taking place on Wahtonka Football Field at the Wahtonka High school in The Dalles, Or.

Time:  The event starts @ 7pm; costumers/ spotters to be there @ 5:30 pm

What is the Pig Bowl many may ask?  It is: Oregon police (State, county, city) vs. Washington police (State, county, city), in The Dalles area, that play a game of football for charity. Each year the organization picks a local person they believe needs help; mainly for medical purposes (bills, etc.).

The game is flag football and the scoring is... unique. Along with the regular, football, points for every $25, for a field goal, or $50, for a touchdown, for the team of their choice; said team earns an extra goal, or touchdown. These extra "scores" usually reach in the 7 or 8 hundreds.

 Every year they have given us a place to change; last year it was at the High School. They have also offered us, one year so far, a hotel room for those that wanted to stay the night.

One of the things that has gotten to me, these many years, is that we (specifically Cloud City) haven't done more to help The Pig Bowl organization. I would like to propose is that we set up our own area and have people get their pictures taken with the Star Wars Characters (Imperials, Mercs & Rebels) for a donation; all donations will go to The Pig Bowl. I have talked to Curt, our contact, and run it by him; he loves the idea and he is willing to get us lighting (if we need it). So for X dollars, a flat donation, people would be able to have their pictures taken with their favorite characters; of those present.

For more information go to: pigbowl.net/ (<-Link)

Previous year's photos:
2008
2009
2011

Roster:
Hoot                                 IC/ RP or _ _
Jet Wash TI-2.5                TI
Patrick (DST?) *not set*  Vader

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Roster Update: see first post

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BUMP

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UPDATE:

This years recipient, of the funds raised by Pig Bowl, is Karren. I have received, the following, from Curt:

When you have blue eyes, light hair, and fair skin checking your skin should be just a way of life.  You check it, your friends say “Maybe that should be checked out” and doctors make sure.  I have had “skin checks” since high school.  There was nothing that really brought worry or concern, although I had the occasional punch biopsy of a mole or freckle.  It wasn’t until a few years ago that I had a patch on my back shoulder that was different but not changing rapidly.  “Get it checked out.”  Then came the call a couple of weeks later; It was indeed melanoma and needed to be surgically removed.  This was stage 1 melanoma. “Only surface…not a problem…we deal with this all the time.” Great prognosis and on with life…that’s what I heard.  So with lots of prayer and a same day surgery that’s what happened.  All margins came out clear and I was good to go.
Fast forward to February 2012, life is moving forward fast, but so blessed.  It is just after my birthday, and I notice a lump behind my collar bone.  It’s tender but not too bad.  As a nurse I just let things sit for 2 weeks because they are often resolved in that time, especially infections.  I’m thinking it’s a cold, but it’s not gone in 2 weeks.  My fellow nurses and family are saying go have it checked out. So I do. We try a round of antibiotic, get an ultrasound, but nothing really says what it is except the looming thoughts of melanoma from a few years ago. It’s the same shoulder.  The mass grows enough that I am in discomfort all the time…On to the specialists in The Dalles.  Several biopsies are done, but there is no clear diagnosis.  The decision for a lumpectomy is made so we can figure out what is going on.  Prior to the surgery the surgeon orders a full abdominal CT scan.  I learn that I have one more mass in my spine that we will have to deal with.

“After surgery,” I say, “Can it wait till after surgery?”
A racket ball size mass is removed from my shoulder and biopsied.  Melanoma is the diagnosis and now it’s time to address the next phases.  Just because you cut it out does not mean you’re done. The whirlwind of appointments has just begun.  I am referred to a neurosurgeon at OHSU so he can assess my vertebra and make sure the tumor has not affected the spinal column. 

By this point, this tumor is large enough that I hurt all the time and life has less quality.  I can’t laugh with my family without spasms of back pain.
I am also introduced to Radiation Oncology; they will help decide if focal radiation or general radiation will be the best route of care. Then there is Medication Oncology who help decided what medication will help move the body into a state of attacking the cancer, not being attacked.  With melanoma there is so much promising research and results showing that we can train the body to fight for itself and get rid of the disease.
These “meet and greets” take all day trips to OHSU, your family on hold, your work on hold, day by day, moment by moment decisions. It is overwhelming and tiring and requires a lot of prayer and strength from God.  Prior to the first focal treatment on my back the doctor ordered an MRI of the brain, just to be safe because there were no deficits that would indicate the brain was affected.  The results come back with 3 more lesions to the brain. That was a shock; it’s now stage 4 melanoma. It can pop-up more places, but we hope to have found it all. The radiation to the back happened and was good. 

Pain decreased and made life endurable again.  The 7 focal treatments to the brain lesions have happened and we wait and see.
I am now in to the medication part of the treatments.  My body did not tolerate the first medication of choice, so that one will not continue.  I am now in the limbo time of letting my body get over the first medication response so it will be ready for the next medication.  In early September I get my next MRI to see if there are any changes in the tumors or any new growth.  From there the new treatment plan comes together.  The tumor in my spine isn’t over yet and surgery may still be needed. Today is living each day and being there for my kids and having my family be there for me. 

I have two wonderful children who take each day in stride.  Cody, 14, and Crysta, 12, help make my life so full of joy.  I have parents who have put their life on pause to be there every moment when I need them and I have so many more family and friends who do the same. During this difficult time, I am blessed to know that there is also a community who cares. God is so good in my life and I know He blesses and only has good in store.  Thank you, Karen

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I have received word that this year, the Pig Bowl, is having a half time show.  During the first part, of the show, awards are rumored to be given out.

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People I need to know if there is anyone going to Pig Bowl.

ALSO:
One of the hotels will be offering a discount to costumers who participate.

[Rattlehead]

Hey,

Rattlehead/Curt, here!

Hope everyone is set to come down to The Dalles and hang out with us for our Pig Bowl event. This is our 10th year and every year I hope to get more of you to come down and help us out. Great event every year as I'm sure you have been hearing from HOOT all of these years. This will be the 5th year CCG is involved and I want to personally thank the troop for helping us out these past years. Hope more of you can make it! Again thanks for all that you do. I know you don't get told enough but your presence is felt and appreciated. I'm a volunteer as well just like you. I do Pig Bowl and Little League. Those are my passions as of now and in the future I hope to be trooping with all of you. Again thanks and hope to see more of you Saturday.

Curt Harth
Vice-President
Pig Bowl