Reality Rally

We took a moment to interview and talk to the real “Stars” of Reality Rally - Bill and Marilyn Watson, the founders of Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center.

"Gillian Larson is the ENERGY in Reality Rally and has her own amazing story, the volunteers and sponsors have their own energy that they provide to the entire event. They work behind the scenes, but they are making things happen! It couldn’t happen without our volunteers and we’re grateful for them.

Gillian Larson, the founder of Reality Rally, participated on the TV Show, ‘Survivor,’  While she was waiting for the show to end while in the Jungle of Gabon Africa, she thought up the ‘Reality Rally’ competition and so she contacted us and shared her vision. Gillian had several people in her life who had been affected by cancer including her own brother and her parents who all passed away from cancer, so she wanted to make a difference and fundraise to be able to help others."

Upon hearing about Gillian’s idea, Marilyn and Bill knew that Reality Rally had the potential to be amazing, but also knew that it would be a large endeavor to undertake. As Marilyn recalls, “The Executive Director of Michelle’s Place, Kim, encouraged us to support it as she saw the potential of Reality Rally to be a good vehicle to promote Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and raise needed funding. It’s been a great adventure and we’re glad that it was brought to fruition!”

Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center was founded to honor our daughter’s life, Michelle Watson, a year after she passed away from cancer. She passed away in July 2000, at the age of 26. She loved life, was an adventurer herself and would have loved participating in this event!

Michelle lives through the people we help on this chaotic cancer journey. She indeed felt No One Should Face Cancer Alone. Michelle liked to talk with people and during her cancer journey, she felt she needed people who appreciated her for who she was as a person and not just someone who had cancer. She was a substitute teacher, a student at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and loved spending time at the beach and with her friends, talking and listening to music, etc.

We have tried to incorporate these feelings into Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center by listening to client stories and giving them a chance to share with others so their journey can be as unique and special as they are.

Any serious disease or illness can take its toll on the body and our biggest piece of advice is to be your own best advocate. Our Navigators will listen and provide resources and questions to share with your doctor or encourage a second opinion if need be.

If something doesn’t feel right, find out what it is. This is a lesson we learned with Michelle. She was young, there was no breast cancer in our family, but even though Michelle saw three (3) doctors they told her she was too healthy and too young.

When she applied to the Peace Corps and they gave her a physical they found the lump that she had been telling the doctors about. They ordered a biopsy and it turned out to be Stage 4 Cancer. In hindsight, we should have gone to a Cancer Center. Michelle fought hard for 3 years with chemo, radiation and even a stem cell replacement.

Michelle then spoke at a Continuing Education Seminar for Oncology Nurses in Santa Barbara, and we visited the Santa Barbara Breast Center, which was in an inviting old house with couches and chairs in the living room, walls of books and cookies in the kitchen. On the way home, she said this is what you need to do in the Temecula area. Michelle grew up in Anaheim, CA and her high school friends were in the Anaheim-Placentia area.

While she was in college, Bill and I moved to Temecula for Bill’s work. Temecula was a lot smaller than it is today without many young people. Michelle worked and coached the Temecula Swim Team and at this time and she applied for the Peace Corps.

 Life did not turn out the way we wished it would have, but Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center has taken us on an entirely different road than we would have thought. Helping people at Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center has helped us through our grieving journey and given us so many wonderful people in our lives. Michelle and her friends are helping us make this work!

In October 2018, the Board of Directors for Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center decided to move the facility to a larger building and open it up as a resource center for all cancers and to all people of all ages and not limit the center to breast cancer.

Click to see the Michelle's Place Expansion. Donation are gratefully accepted to help this expansion.

Help make a difference in the lives of many and donate what you can. Donate to Michelle's Place

“We would like to thank the volunteers and participants for all that they do for Reality Rally; all of their efforts have helped us spread the word throughout Temecula Valley that Michelle’s Place is there for all cancer clients; we couldn’t do it without Reality Rally and its volunteers. We’ve made many friends through the events and by working alongside them. It’s been a wonderful experience to be a part of it!”

Warmly,

Bill and Marilyn Watson
Founders of Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center
Email: mwatson@michellesplace.org

Marilyn said of her involvement in this year’s Reality Rally competitions, “Bill and I will welcome the Reality TV Stars and fans to this year’s 10th Anniversary of Reality Rally. Upon completion of the Amazing Race competition, we will welcome participants back in from the race and take pictures with them! It is fun, highly competitive and no one year is the same. Many of the Reality Stars have competed each year, so it's like welcoming family members back for a visit and catch up time. The Watsons and Kim Gerrish, Director of Michelle's Place  welcoming back the Michelle's Place Team who won the Charity Chalice division.

 

                                                           

 Watson family and Kim the Center Executive Director are all involved in every part of Reality Rally as they truly love what we are able to do for Michelle's Place

                                                  At the Red Carpet Fundraiser at Wilson Creek Winery, The Lip Sync Showdown at Pechanga Casino and Resort and the Celebrity Chef Showcase At Temeku Hills Country Club.

                                    Michelle's Place Cancer Resource Center is run by a loving staff who really care and it shows as they greet and work with all those who seek their support dealing with a devastating diagnosis of cancer. 

They are led by the "Soul of the Center" Kim Gerrish the Executive Director who has been with Michelle's Place from the beginning..     

    

  

 They also run on Volunteer Power with over 70 dedicated volunteers.

 Contact Michelle's Place Cancer Resource Center if you have been diagnosed with any form of cancer and need support and do not even know what you need.