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Use the Donate Other button and turn it into a Subscription. All donations contribute to the Josh Farler Foundation, "Raising |
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Use the Donate Other button and turn it into a Subscription. All donations contribute to the Josh Farler Foundation, "Raising |
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Previous Champions are worth a bounty in the Josh Farler annual poker tournament, also known as the End of Reign side competition.
Here is your list of "targets".
| Year | Name |
| 2005 | Mike Nipper |
| 2006 | Mike Strahan |
| 2007 | Mandy Simmons |
| 2008 | Waymon Nipper Jr. |
| 2009 | Kenny Cleveland |
| 2010 | Robert Brewster |
| 2011 | Scott Boardman |
| 2012 | Mark Waddle |
| 2013 | Richard Tucker |
| 2014 | James Brimage |
| 2015 | Bob Farler |
| 2016 | Waymon Nipper Jr. |
| 2017 | DT Holder |
| 2018 | Donna Carter |
| 2019 | DT Holder |
| 2020 | Could be YOU! |
Transcribed from the Bakersfield Californian
-Emily Hagedorn
Californian staff writer
Ylaria Carrasco-Cazares couldn't care less about that was happening behind the podium.
Her focus was on 3-year-old Jeremy Nipper, who was sitting inthe row in front of her. Ylaria and 1-year-old sister Yoly poked their smiling faces behind Jeremy, saying, "Boo!" until he turned around. They raced around the room, between the rows of chairs. The girls' parents and others in the room just smiled. They wouldn't have it any other way.
In a small ceremony at Bakersfield's Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, Ylaria's family received $10,000 from the Josh Farler Foundation Monday to help with Ylaria's cancer treatment.
The energetic toddler is fighting neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer of the nerve tissues. She had just turned 2 when she began suffering from frequent fevers. A couple of weeks later, a doctor found a mass in her abdomen, which was removed. Later, they found out it was neuroblastoma, and it had spread to her left knee and right ankle. The family has since split their time between Bakersfield and New York City, where she gets treatments at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Mom Belen Carrasco works as a fifth-grade teacher at Leo G. Pauly school and has taken care of Yoly and 7-year-old Belen, while dad Regino Cazares, also a teacher, has taken a year off to user Ylaria to treatments.
"We were so moved when she called and told us our family was selected. I was trembling, " Carrasco said. "It makes you feel like you're still part of the world." The family has learned that insurance doesn't cover everything and that airplane flights, hospital parking and cafeteria food can add up.
"We see a lot of families facing a variety of issues, even covered by insurance," said Dr. Rai Patel, founder of the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center.
The family can use the funds on anything they which, said Michael Nipper, the foundation's organizer. Nipper, of Bakersfield, lost his cousin, 20-year-old Josh Farler, to testicular cancer in 2005. Farler's family soon learned how expensive treatment could be. While Farler was registered to go to Idaho State, he got sick before school started, and since he was over 18 and not in school, his parent's insurance canceled coverage.
The family traveled between their hometown of Yerington Nv. and Los Angeles for treatment.
To raise money, family and friends held a poker tournament - Farler's favorite pastime - and the group has been doing it ever since,bestowing funds on other families fighting cancer.
"He'd be right here doing it, too," Nipper said of Farler fundraising for cancer. "You wonder why it happens to the good ones."
Dear Friends, Feb. 11, 2012
The family and friends of Josh Farler wish to thank you, once again, for your generosity and support. The 7th Annual Josh Farler Fight against Cancer, Texas Holdíem Poker Tournament was held at the Johnny Michelson Hall on Meany Ave., (Thanks again to the Local #460) we had the best one ever. Even though the attendance was down, the poker players were great. We added a couple of new twists this year. Two new pot games and our î JAIL.î We had a total of 48 players who fought long and hard for the $1000.00 first place. The winner was Scot Boardman, whose name will join 6 other awesome poker players, on our perpetual plaque. WAY TO GO Scott!! Every one that made the final table of 9 won a very nice prize, all donated by our wonderful sponsors.
We are very proud to share with you an accounting of this 2011 event. The grand total of all donations received from this yearís event was $15,000.00. Please check out our new web site, www.jffac.com (now joshfarler.org) to see a list of all our generous sponsors. Without you we could not help the people who are struggling with cancer.
This year we were able to help two families in Kern County.
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| Christopher Chavez, age 2, who was diagnosed in April 2011 with Neuroblastoma. This is a malignant tumor that develops from nerve tissue, most commonly diagnosed in children before age 5. He was treated with Chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell, transfusions and surgery in Madera, San Francisco and Los Angeles. We presented Christopherís family a check, at the CBCC center, for $10,000.00. | Fernando Lozano, a 23 year old Father of 2 children. Fernando was diagnosed with testicular cancer, the same as Josh. He underwent a 10 hour surgery to remove numerous tumors in his abdomen. They also removed a huge tumor on his neck and armpits. Fernando has medical insurance but they needed help with everyday expenses. We presented a check for $5000.00 to Fernando and his family. |
We are so pleased, with your help, to have been able to help two families this year.
We do this in memory of Josh.
July 21, 2007
Dear Friends,
The family and friends of Josh Farler wish to thank you for your support once again. The 3rd Annual Josh Farler Memorial Fight Against Cancer - Texas Holdem Poker Tournament - held on May 12, 2007 in Bakersfield California was another true testament to Kern County's recurring generosity.
It is with great pride and pleasure that we share with you an accounting of this year's event. Attendees were treated to comfortable weather, great food, and wholesome family entertainment. The players were extremely competitive - approximately thirty - each one motivated to rise above the rest, all vying for the opportunity to have their name placed on the Perpetual Plaque. Once the dust settled there was but one player who could claim the honor - Amanda Simmons. Mandy is one of the many "cousins" to Josh who participated and she was thrilled to be able to have this win memorialized in Joshes' honor.
The JFMFAC committee has met and the grand total of all donations received from this year's activities was $8833, over $3000 more than last year's ending total. After all financial obligations have been met; a check for $8000 will be presented to a 27-year old man with brain cancer named Michael Shaw.
Michael was first diagnosed in 2001 - at the age of 21 - with a brain tumor. He had surgery to remove the tumor and began treatments at UCLA. He seemed to be doing well and things were looking up for Michael and his wife Hailey. During what Michael refers to as a problem free, four year time frame, they had a son - Dillion, now 2 years old. In 2003 another tumor appeared, this time as a 'grade 4'. Michael has had to leave his career as a math teacher at Stockdale High School to once again seek help at UCLA, traveling at least twice a month for necessary blood work, chemo and other procedures related to his cancer. Statistics are not good and the inoperable tumor is growing.
Michael and Hailey are struggling with many of the same issues that families are commonly faced with when dealing with cancer. Hailey feels unable to work outside of the home, as she is Michael 's sole source of transportation to the required treatments and childcare fees for Dilion would only add expense to their already limited budget. Mike's parents live in Bakersfield and help out as much as the are able too. His wife Hailey has a large family in the Long Beach area. Health Insurance through the Kern High School District is a blessing but it will expire in October of this year and Michael must consider affordable options which could cost as much as $800 per month. They are not sure how long they will be able to stay in their home and are currently considering relocation closer to family for financial and much needed moral support. In Michael's own words, "Confronting your mortality changes your perception on life and what is truly important - Friends and Family."
As each of us are quite aware, there is no amount of money that can come remotely close to solving this young families problem, so we can only pray that this gift of $8000 will at least ease their burden in some small way. Each one of your contributions made this possible.
We feel certain that it would make Josh proud to know that his memory lives on through each of us who work towards and attend this event in his honor - but again, let us stress that none of this would have been a reality without participation from each of you. We cannot thank you enough! We have already begun the planning for next year's event and hope to see each of you there and please, feel free to bring along a friend!
We wish to leave you again with this passage from Numbers 6:24-25 - The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The friends and family of Josh Farler
September 12, 2010
Dear Friends
The family and friends of Josh Farler wish to thank you for your support, once again. The 6th annual Josh Farler Memorial "Fight Against Cancer" / Texas Hold'em Poker tournament held on June 12, 2010 at the Johnny Michelson Hall in Bakersfield, Ca. was another testament to Bakersfield and Kern County's continuing generosity. We could not have such great success without our wonderful sponsors.
It is with great pride and pleasure that we share with you an accounting of this year's event. Attendees were treated to an enjoyable inside atmosphere, thanks to Local 460's generous donation of the Union Hall, with great food and wholesome family entertainment. While the kids were playing outside on the toys Kiddie Amusement generously provided, approximately seventy five players were vying for the prestigious honor of first place which came with a $1,000 gift card and their name placed on our perpetual plaque. That distinction was bestowed upon Robert Brewster. Rob fought a hard battle all day and came out first place and the 6th name to be added to our plaque. Congratulations Rob!!. Rob was not the only winner, just the biggest one. Everyone at the head table won a very nice prize thanks to the generous and faithful sponsor WalMart.
To recap, Josh was diagnosed at age 19 with testicular cancer while preparing for college. Josh and his parents and brother Matt, are originally from Bakersfield but had moved to Yerington, Nv., when the boys were young. Josh's doctors felt the best care could be obtained at the Norris Cancer center in USC in Los Angeles, and so started the long, and expensive trips, treatment and surgeries-traveling to and from Yerington to L.A. Aside from the devastating medical cost, food, gas, motels, and incidentals mount to almost unbelievable proportions. Thus started a trend of fundraisers beginning for Josh in Bakersfield, where Mike Nipper, another Josh cousin, held the first Poker tournament. Josh lost his battle 12/26/2005.
The JFMFAC reports that a grand total of all donations received from this year's activities was $12,327.00. With the help of Dr. Patel and his staff at Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, we received one application for assistance and three applications from the general public. It was a very difficult job deciding where these funds would go. After much consideration a $10,000 check was presented to Michael Maldonado a 19 year old diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Michael was attending college, working towards a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and looking forward to working for the DEA. He was also into body-building and won sponsorships and promotions on the Internet for his success on the website: teenbodybuilding.com. These dreams have been put on hold while Michael continues to have chemotherapy and radiation twice a month in Loma Linda, California. We wish him the very best and our prayers go with him.
We are so pleased, with your help, to have been able to help Michael and his family. We feel certain that it would make Josh proud, as are his parents, Jim and Brenda, to know that his memory lives on through each of us who work towards and attend this yearly event in his honor. Again, thank you, one and all.
The family and friends of Josh Farler
June 23, 2006
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your support last year. We hope we can count on you again. Without you, we could not help people like Kiley Smith, who has Acute Meleod Leukemia. She is 11 years old and has been fighting AML for almost 6 years now. She had her 3rd transplant last year at Oakland Children's Hospital and she and her mother Sally, had to stay at the hospital for three months. Your donations helped them with expenses incurred while away from home. Kiley is doing much better now but is not finished with treatments. She is now getting blood transfusions and has to take precautions, such as the mask in her hands in the above photo, against germs. WE and Kiley thank you very much.
We are having our 3rd annual Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament and Bar-B-Que on May 12, 2007 at 2002 Hendricks Lane, Bakersfield. Again we will have our large banner made. If you would like your company's name included the cost is $100. We will have a live DJ, a 50-50 drawing and a huge raffle (TV, DVD, Etc.) This is a non-profit, non-alcohol event. Lunch (donated by AWI from Champs) will be at 12:00 PM, Poker Tournament starts at 2:00 PM.
For ticket information call Mike Nipper at 717-1249. Please make checks payable to "Margaret Nipper for Josh Farler Fund." All proceeds designated to assist Kern County cancer patient defray costs of travel and lodging when being treated out of the area. We do this in memory of Josh Farler who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July of 2004 and lost his battle on December 26th, 2005 at 20 years old.
The friends and family of Josh Farler
July 9, 2009
Dear Friends:
The family and friends of Josh Farler wish to thank you for your support once again. The 5th Annual Josh Farler Fight Against Cancer Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament held on May 23rd, 2009 at the John Michelson Hall in Bakersfield, California was another true testament to Bakersfield and Kern County's recurring generosity.
It is with great pride and pleasure that we share with you an accounting of this year's event. Attendees were treated to an enjoyable inside atmosphere, thanks to Local 460's generous donation of the Union Hall, with great food and wholesome family entertainment. Approximately sixty players were vying for the prestigious honor of first place and having their name placed on the perpetual plaque. That distinction was bestowed upon Kenny Cleveland, one of the many friends of the Farler family who participated and he was thrilled to be able to have his win memorialized in Joshes' memory. Kenny won a 46" flat screen TV donated by Wal-Mart.
To recap, Josh was diagnosed at age 19 with testicular cancer while in Idaho, preparing for school. Josh and his parents and brother are originally from Bakersfield but have lived in Yerington, Nevada since Josh was very young. Josh's doctors felt the best care could be obtained at the Norris Cancer center at USC in Los Angeles. Aside from the devastating medical cost, food, gas, motels, and incidentals mount to almost unbelievable proportions. Thus started a trend of fundraisers beginning in Yerington and then to Bakersfield, where Mike Nipper, another Josh cousin, started the Annual Josh Farler Texas Hold'Em tournaments.
The JFMFAC reports that a grand total of all donations received from this year's activities was $10,454.18. A check for $10,000 was presented to the recipient and the balance will be used to fund future fundraisers.
With the help of Dr. Patel and his staff at Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, we received three applications for assistance and one application from the general public.
This year's recipient is 19 year old Christopher Rosales. Chris was diagnosed with colon cancer at 18. He receives a blood thinner shot every day and chemotherapy continuously three days at a time every two weeks. He lives with his grandmother in Bakersfield. When his treatments started, he needed to travel to UCLA once a week for chemotherapy. When Chris first began treatments, he lost his job because he had to be gone so much and was not eligible for unemployment or Social Security because he had not worked long enough. Chris is a very shy, quiet, and greatly appreciative young man.
We are so pleased, with your help, to have been able to help Chris and his family. We feel certain that it would make Josh proud, as are his parents, Jim and Brenda, to know that his memory lives on through each of us who work towards and attend this yearly event in his honor. Again, thank you!
The family and friends of Josh Farler
The following are the stories or our recipients. Along with their stories is information related to that years fund raising events, accounting, and other related data.
Christopher Rosales
Michael Maldonado
Christopher Chavez / Fernando Lozano
Starting in 2017 we no longer track individuals who are assisted. This list is maintained by the 3 cancer treatment centers that have a Josh Farler Transportation fund (AIS, CBCC, Rio Bravo) and are periodically reviewed.