Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 11-26-20 E-edition

Thursday, November 26, 2020
The View From Here
A big beautiful smile is the first thing visitors see when they visit Andrea Andrade’s Instagram
page.
The 5’8” tall Reedley
native with long dark hair, and a former beauty queen, is the epitome of perfection and elegance. Her presence will make anyone do a dou- ble take.
I began following An- drea’s social media page a few years ago. I’d initially heard her about her when I worked in tv news and was extremely inspired by her story.
Her story is one of sur- vival, human will, and dedi- cation.
At the very young age of 26 years old, Andrea had been diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer and wasn’t expected to live very long.
She fought through her diagnosis and her cancer went into remission. She used her experience and turned it into a message of hope for others.
Andrea began advocat- ing and raising money for cancer research as well as bringing awareness to the disease that has no respect for age, gender or economic status.
A few weeks ago, I no- ticed that I had not seen nor heard from Andrea on social media. She is normal- ly active on the site, always sharing her daily stories, her daily outfits, (which I loved and often tried to im- itate) and just her overall uplifting demeanor.
It wasn’t too long after that Andrea posted a photo of herself from a hospital room. She explained in her post that the cancer had returned. More aggressive this time. My heart sank. I immediately sent her well wishes as did hundreds of her friends and social media following.
As the holiday seasons approach, let’s keep Andrea in our thoughts that she make a full recovery.
This has been an ex- tremely tough year for ev- eryone with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let's remember that some of those among us are fighting extremely diffi- cult battles and continue to smile through all of it.
Andrea we wish you a full recovery, thank you for inspiring those around you to be better and never giv- ingup. Getwellsoon.
Finding other ways to help in Reedley
Juanita Adame
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
It’s normally held in the spring and its intent is to hon- or cancer victims and raise money for the American Can- cer Society.
This year however, the Re- lay for Life event in Reedley has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many families still in need of the assistance it provided.
“There are a lot of local families who are not getting the benefits and the resources and the stuff that they need,” said Stephen Buffy Ruiz. “So what we’re doing today is we’re raising money,”
Ruiz along with other mem- bers of Relay for Life teamed up with members of the local car club, “Cruising for Jesus” and held a large yard sale on the morning of Nov. 14.
The event was held at Tri County in Reedley and partic- ipants sold everything from household items to furniture.
Ruiz said they wanted to do something to help the families affected by cancer since the fundraiser would not be held.
“We’ll be sending some of the proceeds today to the American Cancer Society, but also saving some of that mon- ey for our local families.”
Ruiz said many of the fami- lies they’ve come into contact with have tremendous neces- sities and they wanted to do their part to continue to help them out.
“For our local families what we’re going to do is pro-
Photos by Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
ABOVE: A young girl waited patiently as she had her arm painted during the yard sale fundraiser on the morning of Nov. 14. The proceeds from the event benefitted the American Cancer Society as well as local families.
BELOW:The"RelayforLife" purpleribbonwasdisplayedoutfrontattheevent.
vide them a Thanksgiving dinner plus we’re also asking what other needs they may have,” he said. “For example, one family is struggling with their PG&E bill, so we’re go- ing to send some money to help them, another family is struggling with medication so we’re going to send them some money.”
Ruiz said although fund- raising efforts have been dif- ferent because of the pandem- ic, the opportunity has also al- lowed them to put a name with the face and that was some-
thing they didn't have before. “One family has a child that has to go to Valley Chil- dren’s everyday so we’re go- ing to give them gas cards so they can get back and forth to
Fresno,”
“Again, the money we raise
here today is going to either the American Cancer Society or to help local families here in Reedley, Parlier, Orange Cove and Dunlap.”
For more information on Relay for Life or how to help, visit main.acsevents.org.
'Fantasy of Lights' coming to Fresno Fairgrounds
Contributed
The Fresno Fairgrounds is transforming into a magical Winter Wonderland this holi- day season for the first-ever Big Fresno Fair’s Holiday Fantasy of Lights show.
“We are extremely excited to bring this holiday event to the Fairgrounds for the com- munity to enjoy,” said Lauri King, Deputy Manager II, The Big Fresno Fair. “With CO- VID-19 impacting this year’s Hmong New Year Celebra-
tion, we shifted to bring this holiday drive-thru to spread some much needed holiday cheer in the safest way pos- sible."
"These light displays are incredible and will truly trans- port attendees to a magical winter wonderland," she con- tinued. "We hope our commu- nity is as excited as we are to come out and enjoy it.”
Attendees will drive through the fairgrounds and witness more than 450 holiday light displays.
Guests will will have the option to listen to Christmas music as well as sip on hot chocolate.
"The Fair has partnered with Lightasmic, to bring this holiday light show to town," of- ficials also said in a statement.
The drive-thru event will be taking place starting on Thursday, Dec. 3 through Sun- day, Jan. 3. It will be closed Christmas Day. Daily hours willbefrom5p.m.–9p.m. gates open at 4 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online at Fresno- Fair.com/HolidayLights or at the Fair’s Box
Santa Claus will also be at the event Friday's through Sundays.
At the Holiday Fantasy of Lights Show, there will be an area to drive up and purchase treats, hot cocoa and more before starting the drive- thru holiday route. Guests will receive a $5 off voucher good for a Holiday Fantasy of Lights.
Elks say thank you in Orange Cove
Contributed
From left, Orange Cove Police officer Bryan Montemayor is shown with Marvin Elrod of the Reedley Elk's Lodge 2699. Montemayor held up an certificate of appreciation on the afternoon of Oct. 20. The lodge wanted to honor local first responders for their service. Full story in next week's Mid Valley Times.
Photo of the week
Contributed
A true warrior. Andrea Andrade, a former cancer survivor, beauty queen and Reedley local held her spirits up after receiving word that her cancer had returned. "I have received hundreds of mes- sages and wanted to say thank you to everyone, your prayers are more than welcome." Get well soon Andrea. Email juanita@ midvalleypublishing.com for photos of the week.