Getting inked for cancer awareness in Pasco

PASCO -- Chris Tate of Pasco wanted his first tattoo to mean something.

That's why on Saturday he waited at Asylum Tattoo in Pasco to receive a cancer ribbon tattoo with the colors representing the cancers that have affected his life -- orange for leukemia, which he survived at age 3, and blue for colon cancer, which his grandmother died from in March.

Asylum Tattoo offered free cancer ribbon tattoos Saturday to provide cancer awareness and to raise money for the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation. A box was put out for donations.

Jesse Walsh, tattoo artist and owner of Asylum Tattoo, wanted to hold an event to assist local cancer patients, said Steve Davis, store manager. His parents were treated at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and his father died from lung cancer.

As of 1 p.m. Saturday, 20 people had received ribbon tattoos and 125 were on a waiting list, Davis said. When the employees arrived at 8 a.m., there already was someone waiting for a ribbon tattoo.

"It really exploded," he said.

Because of the demand, Davis said they decided to open today, normally a day off, to finish all the tattoos. Alex Fragozo of Pasco, a friend of the shop, donated his time as a tattoo artist Saturday.

The tattoos weren't customized because of time, Davis said. Some of the people who received them made appointments later to add names or dates.

Those who came could choose the color of their ribbon tattoo, Davis said. Lavender, which represents all cancers, is what most people picked.

Pink is the color Laural Martin of West Richland got inked on her forearm.

Martin, Walsh's mother, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She had surgery in 2003 and received radiation and chemotherapy at Tri-Cities Cancer Center. She's been cancer-free for five years.

"I'm just glad I'm still here," she said.

When Martin heard Walsh's idea, she said she thought it sounded wonderful, and lined up to get the first practice ribbon tattoo.

"It will be with me the rest of my life," she said.

Synthia Rowett of Richland decided to get one as soon as she heard about the event as a way to dedicate a part of herself to her grandmother, who is being treated for kidney and lung cancer, she said.

"She does so much for me even though she is so sick," she said.

Chemotherapy has gotten rid of the kidney cancer, and her grandmother is expected to recover from the lung cancer as well, said Rowett, who planned to get a lavender ribbon on her foot or ankle.

Other family members also have had cancer, Rowett said. Her sister-in-law, Janis John, and other friends and family members were put on the tattoo waiting list.

John said one of her aunts recently died from cancer, and she planned to get a lavender ribbon on her wrist.