Press Release


Fundraising Activities to Benefit Local Mother with Rare 
and Aggressive Type of Cancer

For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Mikesell

Logan, Utah (September 8, 2011) On March 7, 2011 long time Logan resident, Charlotte Gardner, got a call from her doctor that a routine pap smear was showing pre-cancerous cells. For the next month she went through several appointments to determine the origin of the cells. Finally on April 4, she was told a tumor was present.  On May 13, Charlotte was diagnosed with Clear Cell Carcinoma (CCC), a rare and aggressive form of cervical cancer. Charlotte was told she would need what is called a Radical Hysterectomy, one of the most extreme forms of the surgery to prevent the cells from spreading. Because Charlotte didn’t have medical insurance she was told she would need to come up with half of the cost for a down payment. Charlotte’s doctor recommended surgery immediately which allowed the Huntsman Cancer Institute to accept a discounted down payment and schedule surgery for June 7th.  During the surgery, doctors also removed several lymph nodes. A biopsy later revealed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.  Charlotte was told she would need to have radiation and chemotherapy to finish her treatment.

Since the surgery three months ago, Charlotte has been recovering with her family. She has taken a leave from Thomas Edison Charter School in Nibley Utah where she worked as a Teacher’s Aid in the Special Education Department. She receives radiation treatments five days a week and a round of chemotherapy weekly.  The medical bills have steadily increased since her diagnosis; an estimated $20,000 for the surgery and roughly $4,500 a month in out of pocket expenses before Medicaid pitches in. Charlotte’s friends and family have been actively seeking ways to help offset the rising costs of her medical bills.  Lottes of Love (http://lottesoflove.blogspot.com) was created by friends and family to assist Charlotte, her husband Les and two sons win her battle against cancer. The organization’s goal is to raise $16,000 to help the family.

The following community events have been organized as fundraisers for Lottes of Love.

The Lottes of Love Bunko Spooktacular (organized by Karen Kelly) is October 6, 2011 (Charlotte’s birthday). It will be held at Thomas Edison Charter School, 1275 West 2550 South, Nibley Utah at 6:30 p.m. The price is $15.00 per person before September 23rd and $20.00 per person after that. Registration ends October 1st. There are two ways to register and pay; visit the Lottes of Love blog (http://.lottesoflove.blogspot.com ) and pay through PayPal or send it to Lottes of Love c/o Karen Kelly (407 S. 100 W. Providence Utah, 84332, checks made out to Charlotte Gardner). No experience necessary, prizes and light refreshments will be served. 

The Lottes of Love 5K/1Mile fun run (organized by Jill Williams) is Saturday October 15th at 9:00 a.m. The race starts and ends at Thomas Edison Charter School in Nibley Utah. Race packet pick-up and same-day registration begins at 8:00 a.m. at the school. The 1 mile fun run starts at 10:00 a.m. Pre-registration for the 5K is $25.00 and includes a t-shirt before October 1, 2011. Registration after October 1st and on race day is $30.00. The 1-mile fun run costs $10.00 without a t-shirt and $15.00 with a t-shirt. Parents can assist children in the 1-mile run at no additional cost. Families can register for $40 for immediate family members (does not include a shirt). Additional shirts may be purchased for $5.00 depending on availability. Prizes will be given out to the top three runners in each race. Additionally, a random drawing of prizes will also be done. Online registration is also available at http://lottesoflove.blogspot.com .  Registration can also be done by mail, please send it to Lottes of Love c/o Jill Williams 1450 Country Manor Drive, Logan Utah 84321. Make checks payable to Charlotte Gardner. 

Various community businesses and organizations have generously stepped forward to help make the events a success. They include; Thomas Edison Charter School, Dave Rupp with Rivercrossing Townhomes, Thunder and Lightning DJ, Flexpak Packaging, AlphaGraphics, The Logo Shop, Runner’s North and Watkins Printing.

All of the money collected from the fundraisers goes directly to the Charlotte Gardner account at Deseret First Credit Union for medical expenses.