November/December 2018

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Couple Becomes
CancerLINC's First Legacy
Society Members

Attorney Robert Flax has been practicing law in Richmond for 41 years, and some of his most interesting and rewarding cases have been the ones he's taken on as a volunteer attorney for CancerLINC.

Flax has specialized in worker's compensation cases and domestic and civil lawsuits throughout his career. "I'm in some sort of court every day." He has often helped those who needed legal services, but couldn't afford them. "My clients are poor. I take a lot of cases that turn out to be pro bono."

He began volunteering with CancerLINC three years ago. Flax said helping others is important to him, especially cancer patients. "My father died of esophageal cancer. It was very sudden. And my mother was also a juvenile diabetic. She became disabled when I was twelve. I know what it's like to have someone go through a sudden illness like my father or a chronic one like my mother." Volunteering to provide pro bono services to cancer patients in need is a purposeful way to give back and help in those situations, he added.

Flax and his wife, Marilyn, who has assisted in her husband's practice since retiring from teaching 19 years ago, recently became CancerLINC's first Legacy Society members. The couple created the Marilyn Lipsitz Flax and Robert Flax Endowment Fund at the Richmond Jewish Foundation, and has designated CancerLINC to receive a portion of the fund after their death.

Mrs. Flax said that they chose CancerLINC because they have had many family members impacted by cancer, and they feel the work that CancerLINC is doing to help cancer patients is important.

Mr. Flax, a graduate of the University of Richmond Law School, has served in many capacities during his career as an attorney, including Chairman of both the Virginia State Bar's General Practice Section and the Lawyer Referral Service.

When he first joined CancerLINC as a volunteer, he initially helped patients with wills and bankruptcies. Then one day there was a notice from CancerLINC that someone had a real emergency and needed an attorney to be in court the next morning at 8:30 a.m. for an emergency custody hearing. Despite the short notice, Flax jumped in to help, and he is glad he did. It is a case, he will always remember. He represented a 19-year-old woman who was seeking custody of her nine-year-old brother after her mother died of cancer. Her father, who was estranged from the family, had filed for custody of the boy, and the hearing was the day after the mother's funeral.

Bags and Bourbon
Tickets are on Sale!

For the last 12 years, CancerLINC has held a signature handbag auction that is well known in the Richmond area. Past events have featured handbags from celebrities, such as actress Sarah Jessica Parker and noted designer Thaddeus Du Bois. The upcoming event will be held on March 21, 2019 at The Westin Richmond, 6631 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA, from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., with a special VIP Preview from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Silent and live auctions of handbags, sports bags, including an autographed Washington Redskins golf bag, and bags for any occasion are the main attraction. We are expanding this fun-filled event by adding cocktails, casino games, and other exciting activities.

There are many ways you can support the Bags & Bourbon Benefit. By attending the event or becoming one of our sponsors, your donation will enable us to serve more cancer patients in our region.

Also, please consider donating your new or gently used handbags to CancerLINC. Bags can be dropped off at our office, 1423 Johnston Willis Drive, Monday through Friday between 9 and 5 p.m. For more information, call (804) 562-0371.

For Bags and Bourbon tickets,
click here.

Flax said it was an unusual case in that courts don't normally award custody to a sibling over a parent. "The judge made it very clear the first hearing, it was a large hurdle to overcome," he said. The case was very involved and required numerous hearings. "The guardian ad litem did a great job," he said. "And the clients were just exceptional." The family was originally from El Salvador. The 19-year old sister took care of her mother when she was ill, and her little brother, while going to school and working a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant.

Flax was successful in winning the case, and the sister was awarded custody of her brother. Both, sister and brother are currently doing well. The young woman received a full scholarship to VCU and now works as a mammography technician, and her little brother is an A student in Richmond Public Schools. "This is a great country and the children are blossoming," Flax said. "It shows the opportunities that this country gives." He won another similar case for CancerLINC in which a mother dying of cancer wanted her brother to have custody of her young daughter instead of the child's biological father.

"These cases were not easy. They were convoluted, and required multiple court appearances," Flax added. "I spent so much time rereading the statutes to make sure I wasn't missing something," he said.

Mrs. Flax said her husband loves helping people, and making a difference in their lives. "Bob is the kind of person who basically wants to help the world," she added. "The cases he's done for CancerLINC have been so gratifying for him."

Benefit Honors Memory
of Officer Andrew Garland Campo

Recently family, friends and co-workers gathered at Midnight Brewery to remember Henrico Police Officer Andrew Garland Campo, who died on Oct. 9 after a gallant fight with brain cancer. The brewery was packed with people who remember Campo as funny, caring, compassionate and courageous. Campo, a nine-year veteran of the Henrico Police Department, was regarded for his work in the community.

Friend and co-worker, Adam Leonard, and his wife, Nicole, hosted the benefit fundraiser on Nov. 17 to honor Campo's legacy of giving back to the community. To date, the fundraiser raised more than $2,300, including $400 from Midnight Brewery, which donated 15 percent of its sales on Nov. 17 to CancerLINC. Other donations included $580 raised through a Go Fund Me campaign.

Chris Williams, Executive Director, said CancerLINC is grateful for the donation and especially honored that it was given to in memory of someone who did so much for others. "Officer Campo's legacy continues by helping to support others with cancer. He is still touching lives and positively impacting the community."

Do I Need Estate Planning?

Estate planning can make life easier for you and your heirs, and it isn't just for the rich and famous. If you own a home or other assets, you should have the final say in who inherits the items you cherish.

Likewise, in the event you become incapacitated, you should have the final say over the medical care you receive. Estate planning is a simple way to make your wishes known.

Having a will, power of attorney and medical directives in place benefits you and those you love.

Upcoming Events
January 23
Estate Planning 101 Seminar
Fairfield Public Library

March 21
Bags & Bourbon Benefit
(formerly "It's in the Bag")
The Westin Richmond

May 18, 2019
(Rain Date: May 19)
Corporate Cornhole Challenge
Bon Secours Washington
Redskins Training Center

CancerLINC's Mission and Vision

Our mission is to ease the burden of cancer by providing assistance, education, and referral to legal resources, financial guidance, and community services.

Our vision is a community where no cancer patient goes without needed support services.

Ways to Support CancerLINC

Tell friends and neighbors about us
Make a donation
Become a volunteer
Attend our events
Hold a fundraiser
"Like" us on Facebook
Make a gift in memory of someone
Ask your employer to match your gift
Join our Legacy Society
Sign up for our newsletter

Thank You Volunteers

LEGAL
Robert Allen
Veronica Brown Moseley
Mariah Daniel
Justin Griffin
Virginia Grigg
Sarah Gonzalez
Freddie Goode
Thomas Jamerson
Sean Kavanagh
Craig Lane
Glen Morgan
Paul Ranney
Randy Sullivan
Joanna Suyes
Sharon Ten
James Watson

FINANCIAL
Sean Horn
Lawrence Roberts

EDUCATION/EVENT SPEAKER
Lawrence Roberts
OFFICE
Chris Call
Bobbie Sunday