She’s a retired and revered former Long Beach police detective, former co-president of the Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc., and a former world-class basketball player.
Currently, as a strong woman fighting cancer, she’s an everyday inspiration.
The Long Beach community is set to host yet another event to allow residents to chip in for Maddox, who is seeking experimental alternative cancer treatment. A GoFundMe campaign started last month, and this weekend’s event will serve as a way to help Maddox, who has contributed to the community in an immeasurable way.
This Sunday, family and friends will be hosting a drag bingo fundraiser benefiting Kim at the Paradise Bar & Restaurant in Long Beach, at 4:00PM. The event will feature no cover, drink specials, prizes and more.
Maddox was diagnosed with cancer in December 2014, after experiencing stomach pains during a game of basketball. Upon hospitalization, the doctor discovered a tumor the size a grapefruit—it was Stage IIIC ovarian cancer. He was simply amazed she’d be functioning as a normal human being, given the tumor.
“When he told me, I looked at him and asked him, ‘Am I gonna die?’ and he said ‘No—not today.’”
After Maddox’s cancer had metasticized throughout her body, she had a chance encounter with a woman in the hospital who was still alive, despite having been diagnosed with Stage IV. She credited seeking alternative treatment at the Centro Medico de Noroes Hospital in Mexico with her current cancer-free status. Maddox was inspired, and decided she’d pursue the treatment as well.
According to the event’s Facebook post, Maddox has been sick for the last three weeks, including a rushed trip to the Emergency Room. However, family and friends, with the help of those attending their fundraising events, are fighting to send Maddox to Mexico.
“We have hope,” said Maddox’s wife, Angel Macias, in an interview last month.
For donations, requested via check, it is requested that individuals make it out to Kimberly Maddox and mail it to 3300 Hunter Lane, Carmichael, CA 95608.
The Paradise Bar and Restaurant is located at 1800 East Broadway.
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