We support the Spirit of Survival because we know research saves lives.
For over 30 years, Muriel Fahrion's famous creation, Strawberry Shortcake, has been a loyal friend to children of all ages. And as those kids have grown, they've passed on their love and affection for the character to their own children. Currently living in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, Muriel and Michael were intrigued when the 2007 Spirit of Survival ran through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, practically by their front door.
Even though they weren't runners, they were very excited for the chance to help improve the lives of those battling cancer locally. "There's no way we could [choose not to] get involved," Muriel said. For the 2007 SOS, Muriel and Lori Cummins, the SOS Race Director, put their heads together and created our beloved Superhero Kids Marathon mascot, Skamper the Prairie Dog.
Muriel created our beloved Super Kids mascot, Skamper the Prairie Dog
Michael was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and after exhaustive research of possible treatment centers, such as the Cleveland Clinic and the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, they chose the Cancer Centers right here in Lawton, only 20 minutes from their home in Medicine Park. "Knowing that right in Lawton he could recieve treatment, was consoling to us that we knew that could happen," Murial said. Michael agrees: "We didn't have to travel...it made it so much easier for us."
Consulting with Dr. Nimeh, one of Oklahoma's leading cancer researchers, Muriel and Michael were thrilled with his knowledge and compassion. On Michael's second appointment, their son flew in from San Francisco to learn more about the clinical trial his father was currently enrolled in with Dr. Nimeh. After returning to California, their son met with oncologists at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center and they confirmed that the treatment Michael was receiving was the best treatment option he could have and was in fact the decision they would have made as well.
"Without a doubt we made the right decision. Everybody here was so helpful and wonderful, and everything worked out," Michael states. He is currently tumor free and a proud cancer survivor, continuing his and Muriel's support for the Spirit of Survival's mission of bringing life-saving research and trials right here to Southwest Oklahoma.
Come Run with Us - Health
Be a Superhero - Honor
Fighting Cancer - Research
How can cancer research and clinical trials help patients?
Paula Buehne's
personal account
of how cancer trials
helped save her life.
