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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, March 28 ScienceWorks to double classroom space Medford art program gives outlet to cancer survivors UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit Former Medford detective accused of exploiting man with dementia Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 28 State police: Grants Pass shooter tried to run victim off the road Poodle killed with pellet gun in west Medford Car thefts spike in Medford Grants Pass man charged with attempted murder in shooting of Eagle Point resident Politics and Elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Education Medford School District one of most accident-prone in state Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Oregon legislators may end fifth-year high school programs Phoenix High officer looks back on varied career Oregon school officials blasting new education budget Environment Rogue Valley lions on their way to California Corps hopes to clear Lost Creek Lake of debris Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval State News Feds celebrate sage grouse deal with Oregon ranchers Timber payments extension passes U.S. House $15 minimum wage bill dead in Oregon Senate Dave Frohnmayer remembered at Eugene memorial Oregon school officials blasting new education budget Nation - World Obituaries Alexander Edwards Ray E. Kniffen, Sr. Lois Emmerette (Wright) Huntley James "Jim" Peter Duman Florence May Grimes Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Aldridge propels Blazers past Suns Frosh-led Duke ousts Utah to make Elite Eight South Carolina avoids upset with last-second shot Warriors match record with 60th victory Shift in power Varsity 541 College Sports Frosh-led Duke ousts Utah to make Elite Eight South Carolina avoids upset with last-second shot Raiders gain split in softball with C of I Gonzaga ends UCLA's run in NCAA Tourney 'Zona zeroes in Pro Sports Aldridge propels Blazers past Suns Warriors match record with 60th victory Birdie run gives Walker lead in Texas Open Ilyasova lifts Bucks over Pacers Hoffman leads in wind-swept Texas Open Community Sports Business Latest Stories Mandatory paid sick leave gets mixed reviews Blog: How to Practice Patience Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Medford shoppers wonder about impacts of Costco on Trader Joe's parking lot Blog: State senate president says there will be no minimum wage increase during 2015 session Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 People in Business: Feb. 28 Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Agriculture Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Harry & David announces new president Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, March 28 Other Views: Gun background check bill won't make us safer Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Kent Bush: Pete Rose’s request complicated by Jarred Cosart Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Editorials Other Views: Gun background check bill won't make us safer Our View: Some police videos should be released Our View: Public records rules should apply to lawmakers, too Our View: Oregon schools will have to make do with a little more money Our View: Medford police tried to avoid confrontation Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 28 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 26 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 24 Columns Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Kent Bush: Pete Rose’s request complicated by Jarred Cosart Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Arthur I. Cyr: The legacy of Singapore’s leader Lee Kwan Yew Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Guest Opinion: Guest Opinion: Raise your voice against child abuse Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Lifestyle Latest stories No snow makes Marble Mountains accessible early Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache Community blog: Try slightly smoky baked beans instead of refried Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Food Community blog: Try slightly smoky baked beans instead of refried App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Frugal foodie Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Almond cookies pass the test Home and Garden Hot tub: The perfect centerpiece for outdoor living Garden Cameos: Welcome spring to the garden Paul Rogers: Ground unworkable, despite spring’s arrival Home Help: How green is your house? Plant a few dahlias, Dahling Health Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache St. Mary's student helps others with diabetes Community blog: Sleep Tight: Making Your Bed, Body and Mind Ready for Rest Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's Tempo's top five picks for live entertainment this week The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Theater ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Review: Education and its discontents Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Eugene O'Neill's 'Long Day's Journey into Night' opens at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Camelot's 'Sunset Boulevard' ambitious, not as dark Music Futurebirds play the Brickroom in Ashland The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Farr Side: Lines are blurred with theft of Marvin Gaye’s classic groove Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland Parsing the meaning behind wine medals and scores Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 22 Jasmine Thai Cuisine Restaurant Inspections Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW ScienceWorks to double classroom space ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, March 28 ... UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit ... ScienceWorks to double classroom space ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, March 28 ... UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit ... ASHLAND Friends greet 12-year-old battling cancer with holiday lights, songs By John Darling Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 7:03 pm Updated Nov 26, 2014 at 10:13 AM By John Darling Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 7:03 pm Updated Nov 26, 2014 at 10:13 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Alex Shepherd » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Just back home from a transfusion and other treatments for brain cancer, 12-year old Alex Shepherd this evening was greeted by Yule carols, a hug from his mom and a professional holiday lighting of his Ashland home, donated by Brotherhood Painting. The merry lights and swags were the brainchild of family friend Kimberly Bruhn of Ashland. Alex’s MRI Friday showed tumors had advanced aggressively. His parents, Dan and Aushna Shepherd, both registered nurses, are seeking to maximize the good times as the disease moves to its climax. “It’s not what we wanted to hear,” Dan said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed with this whole set of changes. He’s been off chemo and his platelets are low. If his bone marrow function improves, he might qualify for a clinical trial next week in Southern California. The most we can hope for is to slow the progression of the disease and buy him some quality time. It’s a bad hand to be dealt.” Bruhn has been a steadfast ally of the family since Alex's diagnosis on May 9, 2013. She lost her young son Michael to cancer last year and has organized the Team Alex Facebook page, keeping supporters and family in touch and providing pictures, news and a link to fundraising efforts at www.youcaring.com . It has raised $3,690 on a goal of $15,000. Of the gratis Yule lighting and countless other gifts and labor from the community, Aushna says, “I can’t believe how much people donate and give time for us. It’s so beautiful and kind.” “Any time something little can be done with such a big payoff, for someone who’s suffered so much, I mean, I have a blessed life and I gladly give this day of it," said Clay Bustin, owner of Brotherhood Painting. Alex's battle with anaplastic astrocytoma, an aggressive and terminal brain cancer, led to a spot on the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," where the family received a new car (for frequent trips to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland) and a trip to Hawaii. Still, expenses have been difficult, especially because of time off work to care for Alex. Hanging yule swag, Ona Williams said she went through this with Bruhn, her close friend, and is glad to lend support now. “Anything with kids tugs at my heart,” Williams said. “You just see this too much.” “It has changed everything,” says Aushna. “You don’t so much plan for the future. You plan for the next day. It can all change in an hour and you’re going to the hospital.” A student at Ashland Middle School and an avid bicyclist with his dad before the disease, Alex has been noted for his love of his five cats, his dancing around the hospital room and his relentless cheer, says his mom. “But he’s getting a little more scared now, as he gets more symptomatic," Aushna says. "He always tells me to look on the bright side, dancing and telling me jokes. I wish I had a piece of his attitude. He always talks about what he’s going to do when he’s older, like be a doctor. He doesn’t want to talk about how serious it is. He’s protecting himself.” In a post on the Team Alex Facebook, Aushna notes, “Beyond devastating, numb. ... What a difference 18 months make; 18 terrible, unfair, heartbreaking, yet beautiful months. ... He's been through a lifetime of pain and still believes that ‘life is good.’ His faith is strong as mine dwindles. He is so brave when I feel like I can't breathe. What a gift he is that I feel unworthy to have.” Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 25, 2014 @ 7:03 pm Updated Nov 26, 2014 at 10:13 AM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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