From the NewsTimes 7/11/2008

Bethel artist donates her pastels to fight cancer
By Sharieka Breeden
CONTRIBUTING WRITER 

BETHEL ­-- It was 13 years ago when Laura McCormick first volunteered with Bethel's Relay for Life. Today her desire to help find cures for cancer is as strong as ever. McCormick, an artist who lives in Bethel, is donating two of her pastels to silent auctions raising money for research.
 

Laura McCormick’s pastel of tulips,
above, will be up for auction
at the American Cancer Action Network’s Art Auction tonight.

Her artworks will be included in Cancer Action Network auctions tonight and Aug. 7.

Tonight's fundraiser is at Artists' Market, at 163 Main St. in Norwalk. The August event is at a gallery in Meriden.

Asked to describe how some of her artwork relates to the American Cancer Society's mission, McCormick said: "I have one piece, where my niece is picking daffodils, and it's a symbol of hope."

Losing family members to cancer, including her grandmother and a cousin, friends and neighbors, is part of what keeps McCormick involved. But there are other factors, too.

"I'm lucky to be a part of this and I truly mean that; when you see success in your volunteering efforts and work, you feel great," said McCormick, whose father is a three-year cancer survivor.

Through the years McCormick said there's been noticeable progress in the fight against cancer. "I've seen drugs discovered that tackle the cancer cells, and I know that there is a difference being made. However small in the scope, I know that I am making a difference."

No matter where she goes in the world, cancer exists, she added.

"I have been to Jamaica and Germany to do training for Relay for Life and no matter how different we are in place and culture, cancer doesn't change."

McCormick, who chaired Bethel's Relay for Life for five years, said she'll keep volunteering until the mysteries of cancer are solved and no one else is left to suffer or die from it.

"My husband considers me a professional volunteer; it would just devastate me if I couldn't find the time to volunteer to do the work I do," she said. "I urge anybody who is interested in helping in any way to contact their local (American Cancer Society) office, and take a look at the Web site, because this organization really steps up to the plate when they can do so."

For more information about the art auctions, or to donate artworks, call (203) 379-4851. The August auction is at Gallery 53, at 53 Colony St. in Meriden. Additional details can be found at www.acscan.org.