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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Pines business owners continue to raise awareness

(March 23, 2017) In memory of their beloved daughter, Gina Barnes, Linda and Michael Dearing continue to raise awareness and funds during Colon Cancer Awareness Month.
The owners of Copy Central on Cathell Road in Ocean Pines are collecting donations for Gina’s Comfort Fund at the store in March.
Barnes was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She battled the disease for almost two years before passing in 2014, and her parents are determined to help save other families the pain they’ve had to endure from losing their daughter.
“The fund not only raises money, but it brings awareness so people get checked,” Linda Dearing said. “If we can help save one girl’s life with awareness, it would be a wonderful thing.”
Gina’s Comfort Fund was created to alleviate stress and financial barriers for individuals and families. To help, food and gas cards, maid services, wigs and acupuncture treatments, which aid with the side effects of chemotherapy, have been provided to community members diagnosed with colon cancer.
In two years, more than $5,000 was raised and 19 patients have received aid, Dearing said.
Barnes’ mother and brother created Gina’s Comfort Fund in March of 2015 to help with the stress and financial burdens on families after watching the astronomical cost of getting sick.
“They had good jobs, health insurance and I couldn’t imagine people who aren’t half as well off as they were,” Dearing said. “They were still struggling. I told Gina to not look at the bills and focus on getting better. It is such a hardship on people and many families have responsibilities on top of the disease and treatment.”
A colonoscopy can help prevent colorectal cancer and the disease is highly treatable when found early. People with family history or notice changes in their body are urged to schedule a screening.
“Pay attention to changes in the bowel system,” Dearing said. “If one person reads this article and realizes they are having problems such as rectal bleeding and schedules a colonoscopy, it is all worthwhile.”
When Barnes was ignoring colon cancer signs, she was juggling a husband, three children and a full-time job. She was physically active and officiated lacrosse games.
“She was so busy and passed off the signs,” Dearing said. “She put herself on the back burner. This is not an old person’s disease. Make sure to get screenings. Our goal is to relieve stress and save someone’s life. My daughter would love it.”
Last July, an intruder broke into Copy Central and stole about $750 from Gina’s Comfort Fund. No one was ever arrested in the crime.
“The community rallied around us and we made three times more than what we originally collected,” Dearing said. “A lot of good came from that one ugly person. DeNovo’s [in Ocean Pines] even donated a portion [of profits] of every pizza sold to us in August.”
Community members and visitors can stop by Copy Central in Ocean Pines this month, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to drop off cash in the change jar or checks for Gina’s Comfort Fund. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, call 410-208-2600.