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Fundraiser to benefit 2 Steamboat Springs residents with brain cancer

Matt Stensland

— On the heels of some encouraging news, the Steamboat Springs community is coming together Sunday to hold a joint benefit for two residents fighting brain cancer.

Last week, Scott and Connie Blair met with doctors to review a brain scan that Scott Blair recently had done. The physical therapist’s tumor was discovered after he had a seizure May 5. Surgery was done soon after and was followed by radiation and chemotherapy.

According to Blair’s online journal at http://www.mylifeline.org/scottblair, last week’s test results were “100 percent better than the doctor expected with significant reduction of Scott’s brain tumor.”



Family members were encouraged by the news, but they remain cautiously optimistic.

“Before we get too far ahead of ourselves with the possibility that our collective vision of good health has cured Scott, I want you to understand that he still is in the fight of his life with continued treatment for a very dangerous and aggressive cancer,” family friend Gardner Flanigan wrote in the journal. “But make no mistake about it, yesterday was a significantly positive day.”



When reached Wednesday, Blair said that for the next year, he will be taking a double dose of chemotherapy every four weeks.

“My brain is about as cleared up as it can be at this point,” Blair said.

Going forward, Blair said he is going to continue spending as much time as possible with his family, and he has been trying to get back into doing routine summer activities. He said he has gone on a couple of 90-minute road bike rides and has been hiking on Emerald Mountain.

Blair said the support he and his family have received from the community has been awesome.

“We really do thank this community so much,” Connie Blair said.

The Blairs said they plan to attend Sunday’s fundraiser, which also benefits Izaac Kinnison, an 11-year-old Cub Scout who would be a sixth-grader at Steamboat Springs Middle School. He is living in Denver with his family as he is being treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Izaac originally was diagnosed in May 2012. After treatments, a scan in February showed the cancer was gone, and Izaac had beaten what he referred to as an “alien.” He found out in May that his cancerous tumor had returned.

Most recently, Izaac has been undergoing bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy.

The Family Fun Festival and silent auction fundraiser is from 1 to 6 p.m. at Howelsen Hill. There is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 13. A meal is included, and wine and beer will be available for a donation.

Silent auction items include ski gear, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, art, a children’s motorcycle, hotel stays, spa treatments, cleaning services, veterinary services, guided fishing trips and weekend getaways.

Four bands are scheduled to perform, and there will be games and races for adults and children.

Those wanting to contribute to the families also can make a contribution to the Locals Helping Locals account at any Wells Fargo bank.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland


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