Ron Christensen does not dwell on the latest cancer research, nor does he try to figure out just where his personal battle with the disease fits into the myriad of statistics concerning survival rates.
“Quite frankly, the whole thing has been so horrifying that I spend my time with my kids and my girlfriend, trying to have fun with them, as opposed to thinking about all that other stuff,” said Christensen, who grew up in Litchfield and graduated in 1980 from Litchfield High School. “I just do what the doctors tell me to do. A lot of people are into the research and trying to tell what it’s all about. I’m not a statistics kind of guy right now. I’m more hoping and praying for the very best outcome I can get.”
Maintaining a positive outlook has not been easy since he was diagnosed with stage 4 colo-rectal cancer in December. He underwent eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, then extensive surgery in April to remove the cancerous tumor from his colon. Christensen is in the midst of another round of chemotherapy. Following the third and final cycle next week, he’ll undergo a series of tests to determine whether further treatment is necessary.
“There’s not a prognosis at this point,” Christensen said. “We’ll just wait and see what the scans tell us.”
Former classmates haven’t waited for a prognosis. Instead, they have offered emotional and financial support via comments on Christensen’s CaringBridge Web page and by establishing a benefit account for Christensen at a Waconia, Minn., bank.
The support is continuing with a benefit July 27 in Litchfield. The event will include a golf scramble, raffle and silent auction, which will be headquartered at Litchfield Golf Club and Lion’s Park Shelter.
Jim Polingo, a former classmate, said that when he heard about Christensen’s battle with colon cancer he wanted to help in any way he could. Plenty of others felt the same way.
“When I sent out a plea, people just jumped right up,” Polingo said. “His influence on people in their lives meant something to a lot of people. He’s got a dynamic personality that really leaves an impression with people. When you find out there’s a person like Ronnie in need, people kind of step up.”
What: Ron Christensen Cancer Benefit Golf Tournament
When: 2 p.m. July 27
Where: Litchfield Golf Club and Lion’s Park Shelter
The event: The golf tournament will be a nine-hole scramble. Registration costs $40 and includes golf, a picnic meal and a commemorative T-shirt. The golf tournament includes a hole-in-one contest, where competitors will have the opportunity to win a two-year automobile lease from Tangen Motors in Litchfield. Anyone interested is asked to register by Sunday by contacting Tom Mckenzie at (612) 310-5563 or rcbfitgolf@comcast.net [2].
Those who don’t golf can support the benefit by attending the picnic at a cost of $10. A silent auction and raffle also will be part of the event, with prizes including tickets to professional and college athletic events, several golf outings, electronics and other items.
More information: For more about Ron Christensen’s battle with cancer, check his CaringBridge Web site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/rc [3].
Financial donations also can be made to: Ron Christensen Benefit Account, 53 W. Main St., P.O. Box 85, Waconia, MN 55387.