A Jamestown resident who is fighting against lung and brain cancer could use a little help from her friends.
Carmen Pacheco, 67, of Jamestown, celebrated retirement last July after working for Truck-Lite for 35 years. Unfortunately she recently suffered a fall which caused her to enter a seizure, said Mary Beth Collazo, daughter of Pacheco.
According to Collazo, while being treated at Westfield Memorial Hospital after the fall, it was found that Pacheco had two tumors on her brain that required surgery. One of the tumors was surgically removed, while the other is currently under observation. However, while at Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pa., two tumors were also found on her lung. And, now she is currently undergoing chemotherapy for stage 4 lung cancer.
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A benefit will be held for her Sunday at the American Legion in Jamestown for Carmen Pacheco.
Submitted photo
A benefit is scheduled to be held for Pacheco at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Jamestown American Legion. The event will feature home-cooked food, drinks, a bake sale, a Chinese auction, giveaways and entertainment donated by AMP it up! DJ and karaoke.
"Carmen loves to cook, bake and help everybody," said Collazo. "She's so used to doing for others, that she has a hard time letting others doing for her."
Tammy Pacheco, Carmen's niece, added that Carmen is a very giving person that tries to help everyone she can, even if she doesn't know them well.
"Any time somebody needs something, especially people from Truck-Lite, Carmen is always the first person to make sure you're okay," said Tammy Pacheco. "I think that says a lot about her character, and I think that's why we're doing this for her. She needs help with some of her travel expenses and medical bills that are outstanding."
Doctors are fascinated by Carmen's ability to fight the debilitating disease, said Collazo.
"They said she should be in a wheelchair, and not be as mobile as she is," said Collazo. "She's currently a patient with the Regional Cancer Center in Erie, Pa., and at Saint Vincent Hospital."
Collazo hopes that the benefit will give her the strength to keep fighting toward being healthy again, she said.
"She needs to see that people care about her, and that they are willing to give back too," said Collazo. "She's just a wonderful person, and she really deserves it. She (had) chemo on Nov. 8, so we're hoping that she will be well enough to attend the benefit."
"Carmen is very well known around here, and we're hoping that her friends and family will show their support," added Tammy Pacheco. "I really think that it does help by showing you care. And, seeing everyone that cares will help her fight a little harder."
The benefit will be held at the American Legion, 364 Fluvanna Ave. in Jamestown. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children. For more information call Mary Beth at 969-7305 or Tammy at 450-9105.