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12th Annual
Heather Ridley Fleeman Battle for Hope
 Heather
Ridley-Fleeman, a 28-year-old daughter, sister, wife and friend, lost her
battle with colon cancer on July 18, 2004. Battle for Hope was started a year
later to honor her memory and to help cancer patients in Northwest Arkansas,
particularly those diagnosed with colon cancer. Registration for the race this Saturday is still open!
Heather’s Journey:
Heather had occasionally dealt with symptoms of irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) and endometriosis throughout her high school and college
years. However, when she was only 26, Heather began having intense stomach
pains and unexplained weight loss and was prescribed medications for what her
doctors thought was IBS.
After several medications proved ineffective and
her pain and weight loss continued for many months, a specialist thought the
issue might be Crohn’s Disease and ordered a colonoscopy. During the
colonoscopy, the doctor found a mass that had invaded Heather’s colon. She had
surgery the following week to remove the mass which was then identified as
cancer. The biopsy of the mass shortly thereafter confirmed everyone’s worst
fear – Heather had stage IV colon cancer.
 MD
Anderson Cancer Center and Highlands Oncology Group worked together to provide
Heather with the best treatment available. She was first evaluated at MD Anderson
Cancer Center in Houston and then started her chemotherapy treatment at
Highlands Oncology Group in December of 2002. Each chemo treatment lasted
anywhere from four to six hours.
Heather and one of her doctors decided during her
treatment that she should also get genetic testing for colon cancer and female
cancer in order for her family members to know how often they should be tested
for the diseases. The results showed that she had none of the genes that had
yet been identified as markers for either cancer.
After months of chemotherapy, Heather was re-evaluated at
the MD Anderson Cancer Center. They discovered that the cancer had spread to
her abdomen and there were no other treatment options available – not even
surgery.
She was accepted into a clinical trial in San Antonio
that began in January of 2004. There was very little progress during the
three-month trial. But even through her pain, Heather was known for the concern
and compassion she felt toward the other patients who were in the clinic with
her.
Heather traveled back to Northwest Arkansas and
continued to battle her cancer into the summer. Her mother was by her side when
she lost her battle on July 18 of that year.
Battle for Hope:
 Throughout her illness, Heather was known for her humor, wit and her compassion toward other cancer patients that were going through treatment alongside her. Her family and friends wanted to honor her legacy and raise awareness of colon cancer by starting the Heather Ridley Fleeman Battle for Hope in 2005.
All proceeds from the Battle for Hope benefit the cancer
support and educational programs provided by Hope Cancer Resources. This event
takes place annually in May and includes a 10k run, 5k run and walk, and a
1-mile Family Fun Walk.
The 12th
Annual Heather Ridley Fleeman Battle for Hope is this Saturday, May 7, at the Old Tiger Stadium in Bentonville.
Registration is available online through noon on Friday. Race day registration
begins at 6:30 a.m.
Meet this Year’s Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Highlands
Oncology Group
Hope
Cancer Resources Foundation
Silver Sponsors:
Dr. Thad
& Mrs. Melanie Beck
Hull
Dermatology & Aesthetics
Walker
& Associates Realtors, Inc.
Bronze Sponsors:
DesignWorks
Landmark
Cancer Center
Mad Engine
Hope Sponsors:
Drs. Lucas
& Jenny Campbell
Davis Law
Firm
Farm
Credit of Western Arkansas
North
Hills Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center
Outdoor
Cap
PTR Baler
& Compactor
Friend Sponsors:
BBB Septic
Coca-Cola
Collier
Drug Stores
Common
Sense Technologies
Diamond
Foods
Harps Food
Stores
Mercy
Health NWA
Mercy YMCA
Prize Sponsor:
Jose’s
South West Grille
Media Sponsors:
3W
Magazine
CitiScapes
NWA
Democrat Gazette
Additional Race Information:
When: Saturday, May 7 from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Where: Old Tiger Stadium
810 Bella Vista Road
Bentonville, AR 72712
To register before Friday at noon, visit the Hope Cancer Resources office in Springdale (5835
W. Sunset Ave.) or visit heathersraceforhope.com.
Race day
registration begins at 6:30 a.m.
For more information
about Battle for Hope, please visit heathersraceforhope.com.
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