It was a day of teal and tears, a moment Nisa Shinners will not soon forget.
In a long and painful fight with ovarian cancer, the 45-year-old Pacific woman called out for help. Family, friends and strangers answered in a tremendous act of strength and kindness.
A resourceful and mobilized community came together to pull off a massive garage sale last Saturday, proceeds of which raised more than $7,000 to help the Shinners family cover uninsured medical costs. The sale was at least six weeks in the making. Originally intended to be just for the neighborhood, the garage sale grew with the swift travel of the passing word – in conversation and by the e-mail highway.
The contribution will only make a dent in the Shinners’ financial struggle to pay significant healthcare bills. – a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan alone costs the family about $5,300 – but it was a priceless show of love and support.
“I don’t know what to say. I mean, how do you put it into words? How do you thank so many people?” said Shinners, a warm and gregarious lady who has persevered through 15 surgeries and subsequent chemotherapy since first being diagnosed with the disease in 2002.
“It was so completely overwhelming, so unbelievable.”
Added her husband, Mike, “It was humbling.”
Lakeland Hills Elementary School resembled a great thrift store. Truckloads of items began to pour in early and often as volunteers – some adorned with ribbons of teal, the official color of the ovarian cancer awareness movement – tried to keep up with the inventory while placing price tags on all the bargains.
It started as early as 6 a.m. and ended with cleanup in the early evening.
Throughout the ordeal, Nisa, despite being weakened by the effects of treatment, refused to sit and rest. She met, hugged, and thanked as many customers and workers as she possibly could.
The experience left her emotionally and physically drained, reduced to tears.
“I have the coolest friends,” Nisa said. “When you saw all of them working, it was just phenomenal.”
Nisa, herself, has continued to work, to find a solution to her plight, to battle a horrible disease, not to give up.
She often has given back to the community in her many church and civic duties. She is popular and active, attached to many friends, many of them close.
“She is the kind of neighbor who is so nice, someone you would do anything for,” said Kim Baker, a cancer survivor.
Giving something back, doing things for others, always has been her MO. But as a patient in need of care and answers, she has had difficulty being the recipient of all the attention.
“It is not something I am comfortable with,” she admitted.
More help is on the way. Nisa’s former hair business in Renton for 23 years, Boulevard Salon, is making donations. The Fairwood Golf and Country Club in Renton is conducting a benefit dinner and silent auction Nov. 22. An account has been established at Columbia Bank.
Furthermore, it is the Shinners’ family hope that unsold items from last weekend’s garage sale will launch another fundraising opportunity for others in need.
“You can either sit down or do nothing or you can do something about it,” Nisa said.
Added Annette Sartore, Nisa’s mother: “She’s a fighter, a giver, someone who helps others.”
Nisa’s prognosis is uncertain. She hopes for remission, the kind of successful one that occurred three years ago. She will fight it the only way she knows how as she prepares to face the latest series of chemotherapy treatments.
“It’s absolutely horrible,” Nisa said of her situation, “but it’s do-able.”
Smothered by family and friends, she is rich in happiness and optimism. Her family and friends escort and help her through the treatment with plenty of levity.
Laughter only helps soothe the pain.
Especially for a woman who refuses to surrender and is surrounded by so many friends.
