Remembering Dr. Mary Pryor

With the passing of Dr. Mary Pryor on June 20, Oakwood lost one of its most notable and dedicated citizens. Mary Pryor served so many causes, so many organizations, so many people it is hard to even list them all.  She was a crusader who specialized in action not words and her efforts touched a multitude of people. She served our city for twelve years as a City Council member and also Vice Mayor. Mary’s ability to keep the broad context of issues in her mind’s eye as she worked on the details made her a very valuable government leader. She not only met her commitment to Council responsibilities but served the entire time as our representative on the then new Miami Valley Cable Council.  Her work in this fledgling organization included leading the group as president. At the end of her terms on Council, Mary hardly had time to catch her breath when Oakwood called on her again to fill the position of Health Commissioner—a job waiting for her qualifications. Mary remained in that position for the rest of her life and served admirably. This did not, however, keep her from annually chairing the membership drive for Smith Gardens, a place in Oakwood treasured by Mary. Not often does a city receive such dedicated commitment from a gifted resident who also carries the image of beloved citizen.

Beyond our city, Mary participated in a host of organizations and programs directed toward improving the quality of life for others.  Her involvement was life long and covered a broad spectrum of human welfare concerns.  She was particularly dedicated to women’s health issues and those effecting families and children. Dr. Pryor was an exceptional woman who seemed to have endless capacity to make a difference. Her work evidenced limitless compassion for those in need. This compassion allowed her to work with the energy and selfless dedication that only comes with such inspiration.  She was not daunted by challenges but took them on, often several at a time.  The legacy she leaves directs us all to look beyond ourselves and serve others.  In so doing we will continue to celebrate the life of Dr. Mary Pryor.

Judy Cook
Mayor of Oakwood

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Halpern appointed to Wright Library Board

Alan Halpern has joined the Wright Memorial Public Library Board of Trustees.   Mr. Halpern resides on Sweetwood Lane in Oakwood.  He is a graduate of Yale University and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and is currently the Executive Director and cantorial soloist at Temple Israel. He has served as Director of Strategy and New Business Development for Mead School and Office Products as well as Vice President, Marketing and Organizational Development for The Mazer Corporation.  

Mr. Halpern was appointed to the Library Board by the Oakwood Board of Education to fill the remainder of Judith M. Thompson’s term, which expires at the end of 2007.

Ms. Thompson left the Board in May to devote more time to her work as Executive Director of both the Virginia W. Kettering Foundation and The Kettering Fund.  At its May meeting the library board unanimously passed a resolution honoring Ms. Thompson for more than thirteen years of exemplary service.

Other members of Wright Library’s Board are Steven Byington, president; Beverly K. Jones-Arthur, vice president; Lori Mitchell, secretary; John Green, Michael Roediger, and Richard Smith.

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OHS graduate raises $4,000 for PanCAN

By Marc Skill

Sarah Finley, a recent graduate of Oakwood High, spent the end of her senior year donating her time and efforts to help raise money and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer struck Finley’s family for the fourth time last fall. Her father died from pancreatic cancer on Sept. 19, 2006, just seven months after having been diagnosed with the disease.  Finley’s maternal grandmother, the first with the disease in the family, passed away May 4, 1975, and the amount of time between her diagnosis and her death was only three weeks.  Finley’s paternal grandmother and her uncle have also passed away due to pancreatic cancer.  Pancreatic cancer is a hereditary disease.  Sarah now has to be careful in life.  She plans on getting screened for pancreatic cancer at age 40.

Sarah Finley pictured at center with friends at PanCAN booth.

Sarah with more friends at PanCAN booth.

The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach and in front of the spine.  It produces the hormones insulin and glycogen and makes enzymes that aid in digestion. “Cells become cancerous when the regulatory mechanisms that control cell growth don’t work. They continue to grow uncontrollably, eventually forming a malignant tumor, or mass of cancerous cells within an organ. . . . Cancer cells have the ability to invade other organs directly or to spread via the blood stream and lymphatic channels to other areas of the body, a process called metastasis,” according to 100 Questions and Answers About Pancreatic Cancer by Eileen O’Reilly, MD and Joanne Frankel Kelvin, RN, MSN © 2003.  

“I have seen no real progress in finding ways to prevent this disease,” said Shirley Finley, Sarah’s mother.  In 2006, only 1 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s budget of $4.8 billion was spent on pancreatic cancer research and more funding will continue to be cut.

There is no definite cure nor is there a defined cause for pancreatic cancer.  The Whipple operation removes the head of the pancreas, a portion of the bile duct, gallbladder, and the duodenum.  The Whipple may add five years onto one’s life.     Other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also be conducted.  Five years later, less than four percent of those diagnosed are still living. Prevention is basic but doesn’t insure that one won’t get pancreatic cancer; one must maintain a healthy lifestyle with a low-fat, high fiber diet, no smoking, and minimizing alcohol consumption.  

This year, Finley teamed up with the Golden Nugget and worked through PanCAN to help raise money for pancreatic cancer.  “PanCAN fulfills its mission through a comprehensive strategy that combines directly funding research, providing patient services, and extending community outreach and education nationwide about pancreatic cancer,” (PanCAN brochure).  

The Golden Nugget helped with this cause because one of the sisters who owned and managed the restaurant, Genie Thomas, had died from pancreatic cancer.    

PanCAN donated items to the Golden Nugget that they could sell in the fundraiser that Sarah kicked off May 29-31 and June 3rd.  Finley used Senior Skip Day to go out into the community to find sponsors and companies that would donate items or contribute to helping find a cure for pancreatic cancer.  The fundraiser included Esther Price Candies, Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds tickets, and much more.

The proceeds of the fundraiser went to PanCAN for pancreatic cancer research. When the fundraiser was completed, approximately $4,000 was donated to PanCAN.

Sarah hopes to unite with the Golden Nugget again in December to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer.  If you are interested in donating to find a cure for pancreatic cancer or want to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those struggling with this disease, please visit: www.PanCAN.org.

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June 26, 2007
Volume 16, No. 26

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