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Cancer, kids put mother in dire need EDITOR'S NOTE: "Light One Candle" is an annual Mail Tribune feature that focuses on a single need of a person, family or agency during the holiday season. For information, call 776-4465. Light One Candle By JONEL ALECCIA Cancer at Christmas. Chemotherapy treatments that start in the midst of the holidays. And five boys ages 8 to 13, all needing coats, clothes and a little cheer. Those are the obstacles faced by a 37-year-old single mother in Talent this year. The woman and her sons live with her elderly parents, including a mother who's beginning to experience symptoms of dementia. Though the woman's plight is tough enough, what touches Ellen Gray, a worker at the ACCESS Inc. social service agency in Medford, is her attitude. "She remains upbeat, totally involved with her boys and their sports and activities," says Gray. "She is a very caring person.'' ACCESS already has supplied the family with a food basket, but Gray says they can use so much more. The three older boys, ages 11, 12 and 13, have outgrown their coats and need replacements in men's sizes large and extra-large. The younger two, ages 8 and 9, need pants and shirts in boys' sizes 8, 10 and 12. Although their mother has explained that there won't be much of a Christmas this year, Gray has made it her mission to provide a few holiday gifts. The boys enjoy skateboarding and sports and even the older kids are still interested in advanced building toys such as Technic Legos. The youngest boy likes to draw with paper and crayons. "It just brings tears to my eyes," says Gray. "She just has a great attitude." To help, bring donations to ACCESS Inc. at 3630 Aviation Way, Medford, or call Gray at 774-4313. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA