RANCHO SANTA FE — Since David Angleton was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, he has undergone aggressive treatment that has left him too exhausted to work at his regular job as a construction worker.
Angleton, 42, has insurance that covers his medical treatment but does not cover anything else.
“If not for the Cancer Angels, I would be living in the street,” he said. “I could not survive in the street with my condition. The Cancer Angels have been a blessing.”
Angleton, who gets help with his rent from the Angels, was taking part in a fundraising walk on July 31 at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe.
About 100 people turned out for the event on a beautiful sunny afternoon to raise money to help people like Angleton with Stage IV cancer who find themselves fighting for their lives and fighting to keep the lights on, food in the cupboard and a roof over their heads.
Eve Beutler founded the Cancer Angels in September 2007, when as a family therapist, one of her clients with Stage IV breast cancer didn’t know where to turn to meet living expenses.
“I called everywhere and there was nothing out there for her,” Beutler said.
On behalf of her client she held a fundraiser at the Meritage Restaurant in Encinitas where $33,000 was raised.
“We were able to keep eight people in their homes,” she said.
Since then between 85 and 100 people have been helped with living expenses so that they concentrate on their treatment.
“It is a great cause,” said Burhan Oral of Rancho Santa Fe who had turned out for the event along with his dog Romeo. “They (cancer patients) don’t get enough government help and that’s not right. We are here to help each other.”
The event began with people signing in with Peggy Lebo and Ginger Evans. Next they did warm-up exercises courtesy of Tiffany Ferrari, Shana Frey, Heidi Barajas and Bryce Beutler, all of Fitness on the Move, Inc. Then it was off for the walk.
Reality TV star Kip Locke, also the son of Beutler, drove a golf cart to ferry people back and forth from the parking lot to the event. Locke may be remembered as being the runner up in ABCs 2009 “The Bachelorette.” As of Aug. 9, he in the new ABC series “Bachelor Pad.”
The walk ended with a reception and dinner.
Another person at the event was Ramie Hoag of Escondido, who was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. The 54-year-old bookkeeper couldn’t work anymore and could not meet day-to-day living expenses.
She saw an article about the Cancer Angels and contacted them.
“Eve called and asked me what my needs were. She said ‘we’re going to stay with you for the rest of you life,”’ she said. “I can still hear her say that.”
She said she could tell right away that the offer was not just for financial help, but for emotional support as well.
Linda Rideout, Hoag’s friend, said what makes the Cancer Angels so special is that every cent raised stays right here in the county.
“It goes right to the people,” Rideout said. “It’s not eaten up with red tape.”
She said that when she and Hoag pulled into the parking lot of The Bridges on that Saturday, they got out and did a little “happy dance,” because they made it to the event. She said Hoag was determined to come despite doing a recent round of strength-sapping radiation.
Not only did she come, she took part in the warm-up exercises.
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