When the Fayette County Barons’ Ball Silent Auction committee went to local vendors asking for donations for the Barons’ Ball silent auction, they were hoping for some inspiring gifts. They didn’t know they would come across an inspiring story as well. The group of volunteers that called upon Laser Regeneration in Tyrone received a generous donation from owner Sharon Wilber, a gift certificate for services at her Laser Regeneration skin treatment facility. Wilber explained to the volunteers that she was only too happy to donate to the American Cancer Society (ACS), because of the generous donation ACS has made to her daughter Morgan and because she is so grateful for Morgan’s return to good health.

Morgan Wilber was 14 years old when she was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, a hereditary, fast growing cancer. Morgan’s grandmother and a second cousin both have had this cancer. Morgan was treated at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, and operated on by the same physician who treated her grandmother. Morgan’s surgery and treatments were successful and Morgan has an excellent prognosis, she is currently cancer free. Morgan is a senior student at Southern Poly Technic State University in Marietta, Ga. and is studying engineering. As a cancer survivor who was diagnosed before the age of 19, and was under the age of 24, Morgan applied for and was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship from the American Cancer Society’s Young Cancer Survivor’s Scholarship Program. This program is used to assist cancer patients and survivors with the financial costs of obtaining higher education. This program, as well as many others, is provided to local residents by the American Cancer Society. The Young Cancer Survivor’s scholarship program is just one of the many programs that the Barons’ Ball funds, as well as research and development for treatments and a cure for cancer. The first three balls in Fayette County have raised over $460,000. This year’s ball will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City.

Sharon Wilber’s business, Laser Regeneration, provides skin treatments such as photo rejuvenation, laser hair removal, sun spot treatment and spider veins treatment. Wilber explained that many cancer patients use her services due to some side effects they receive from chemotherapy treatments. Unwanted, unusual hair growth, skin darkening and skin thinning are a few of the side effects that can be treated at Laser Regeneration. Consultations are free of charge. Laser Regeneration is located at 40 Carriage Oak Drive in Tyrone, appointments can be made by phoning 770-306-9777.

Sponsorship opportunities for the Barons’ Ball are still available. If you would like sponsorship information or an invitation to attend the 2006 Barons’ Ball, please contact the American Cancer Society at 770-460-8920 or download a reservation form from the ball Web site at www.baronsball.com. For information regarding cancer, the American Cancer Society operates a 24/7 phone line for patients, family and friends, survivors, health care professionals, donors and volunteers at 1-800-ACS-2345 and a Web site at: www.cancer.org.

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