We are saddened to say that Paula Byrne passed away Wednesday. We are all greatly diminished by the loss of this gentle and compassionate person. Paula lived a wonderful life, raising her two children, Shawn and Nicole, to be kind, honest adults with a positive outlook on life. She was loved by so many people, not only her family and friends but also by the Vail community and the many doctors and caregivers with whom she became acquainted over the years. Read more

We are saddened to say that Paula Byrne passed away Wednesday. We are all greatly diminished by the loss of this gentle and compassionate person. Paula lived a wonderful life, raising her two children, Shawn and Nicole, to be kind, honest adults with a positive outlook on life. She was loved by so many people, not only her family and friends but also by the Vail community and the many doctors and caregivers with whom she became acquainted over the years.

Paula's victories have been remarkable over the past 14 years. As many know, she received a full bone marrow transplant on Sept. 5, 13 years ago. Her gracious manner yet iron will to survive amazed all around her. Her struggle with cancer over the last few years has proven that she can beat the odds again and again. From the Fred Hutchison Hospital to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center to MD Anderson, Paula has astounded the medical community. Even through a critical diagnosis and multiple intensive care visits, Paula bounced back with a joyous smile and positive attitude each time. Cristina Byrne, who has been her long-term caregiver, dear friend and medical advocate for the past years, always remarked that she has never met a person who had as wonderful an attitude and could endure difficult situations without complaint.

In Vail, Paula is survived by Shawn Byrne, a college freshman this fall; Nicole Byrne, a rising tennis star and junior at Vail Mountain School; Lorina Dehelean Byrne, an eighth-grader at Vail Mountain School; and Cristina and Ron. Paula's life is to be greatly celebrated, as her resilience and determination to live allowed her to raise her children and give them the same wonderful disposition and strong character.

A recent birthday was so meaningful for Paula, as her close friends held a surprise catered luncheon and sisters Renae Bell and Wendy Wurmlinger flew in to help celebrate. Paula was also able to visit with her brothers, Gary, Brian and Neal Wurmlinger and their families early this summer as we all watched Vail begin to bloom again. She is survived by her mother, Marie Wurmlinger, and many friends in Michigan.

Vail is a very special place because of its community. Many locals remember when Paula was diagnosed with leukemia 14 years ago and the community held drives for bone marrow donors so that she could survive. Although no match was found from within the Vail community, over 900 possible donors were added to the bone marrow directory and many have provided the gift of life to others.

In lieu of flowers, the family would love to see this gift be given to others by donating to: My Friends Care Cancer Fund, 148 South Main Street, Suite 101, Mount Clemens, MI 48043; www.myfriendscare.org.

Paula Byrne passed to God's hands peacefully Wednesday evening at the Byrne home on Forest Road holding hands and in prayer with Shawn, Nicole, Lorina, Cristina and Ron. Friends and wonderful caregivers Nancy and Svetlana were also present in love. As is tradition in Romania, Cristina lit a special candle for Paula to see the light to ascend. With great love from all of those around, her spirit found peace. Through her memory we have been greatly enriched. She will be missed but not forgotten. The Byrne Family.

Novi News/Observer & Eccentric Newspapers
615 West Lafayette - Second Level
Detroit, MI 48226

May 12, 2010

Dear Editor,

My name is Larry Gambotto and I was featured on the front page of your paper on Thursday, June 21, 2001 Novi News.  The article titled “Novi man to share personal cancer battle” featured a photo of my mother, my caregiver, and me.  The article came about a year after my bone marrow transplant and shortly thereafter, I was able to talk to my bone marrow donor, a New York City Fire Fighter, and he and I met in February 2002.  My life has changed greatly since that time, but I still remember my battle with cancer and how it has brought me to where I am at today.  Now, I am a husband, father of three, a firefighter/paramedic with the Rochester Hills Fire Dept. and a 10 year cancer survivor.

I have shared my story of cancer survival many times with many people and look forward to continuing to do the same.  On June 5, 2010 we will be celebrating my 10th anniversary of my bone marrow transplant and cancer survivorship at Lakeshore Park in Novi, MI.  Many of my friends and family that helped with fund-raisers during my cancer battle will be there to celebrate with us.  My bone marrow donor, Joseph Mayer, of Islip Terrance, NY will also be there to celebrate with us.

Mr. Mayer, now retired from FDNY, will be able to make the trip due to a donation from My Friends Care Cancer Fund.  MFC is an organization that helps families facing cancers organize and do fundraisers for expenses that are not covered by insurance.  I have been a client of My Friends Care since 1999.  I have sat on their Board of Directors and made donations to help other families.  We look forward to sharing our day with the current MFC Board of Directors and appreciate all the help we have received from their organization over the past eleven years.

I hope my cancer survivorship can be an inspiration to others.  I look forward to sharing, with other families facing cancer, the services My Friends Care Cancer Fund offers (www.myfriendscare.org).  Lastly, I will continue to live life and enjoy it.  Thank you for time.

Sincerely,

 Larry Gambotto

My Friends Care Cancer Fund supports Marrow Donor Drives throughout the nation, offering critically needed services to marrow and umbilical cord blood transplant patients and their families. 

In 2009, My Friends Care contributed $6,550 to Be The Match Foundation and helped to add 262 potential donors to the national registry, helping to increase the likelihood that patients will find a match.  Since 1989, My Friends Care has supported the addition of over 50,000 people to the Be The Match Registry.

The following Marrow Donor Drives were supported by My Friends Care Cancer Fund in 2009:

• St. Johns Villa High School, Staten Island, New York – April 26, 2009:

Held in memory of Matthew Scherer

• Southern Crescent Baptist Church, McDonough, Georgia – May 30, 2009
• Winder First United Methodist Church, Winder, Georgia – June 07, 2009:

Held on behalf of Jeff Duren 

• The Refuge Church, Perry, Georgia – July 18, 2009:
• Birthday celebration for Kody Lucas, age 17, battling a brain tumor, wishing to add more potential bone marrow donors on Be The Match Registry. 
• Leash Up For Life Pet Parade, Stony Creek, Shelby Twp., Michigan – October 11, 2009:

Held on behalf of Arianna Travis

• Colleges Against Cancer @ Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia – December 1 – 4, 2009. 

Every day, thousands of patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other life threatening diseases depend on contributions to make marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants possible, bringing hope to patients and their loved ones.

You can help us continue to give hope to patients in need of life saving marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants by making a donation to My Friends Care Cancer Fund via Pay Pal  on our web site or by mailing your check to My Friends Care Cancer Fund, 148 S. Main Street, Suite 101, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.  Your contribution to My Friends Care Cancer Fund is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Thank you for your support.