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Cancer survivors come together
Carol Leist poses with two-year cancer survivor Lorita Simms during the Christmas in June celebration on Sunday, June 7, 2009, at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
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HUNTINGTON -- It was like Christmas in June for several hundred cancer survivors and their families Sunday afternoon at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center. They gathered for National Cancer Survivors Day activities and to share the gift of life they've been given.
Dozens of cancer survivors took turns sharing their stories with J.B. Miller, a Tri-State area radio personality who emceed the program in a Santa Claus suit donated by a cancer survivor. The theme of this year's survivors day event is "Life Is a Gift."
"Both my parents are cancer survivors," Miller said. "I feel strongly about taking part of something like this. It tugs at my heartstrings to hear these survival stories. There were times today that Santa had tears in his eyes."
It was the third year in a row the cancer center hosted survivors day activities. The event was held under several big tents at the Cabell Huntington Hospital parking lot.
Ludean Parks of Huntington was one of the cancer survivors in attendance.
"I'm a four-year cancer survivor," she said. "I found a lump and my doctor sent me here. I remember my husband was out of town. They sat with me while I cried and wouldn't let me leave until I called him. They took such marvelous care of me."
Parks, a librarian for Village of Barboursville Elementary School, didn't miss any work as she battled breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and a year of chemotherapy before getting radiation therapy.
"It was a long, hard battle," Parks said. "I wouldn't have made it if it weren't for my husband and my son."
"Today is a celebration," she said. "It gives you a chance to say thank-you to the hospital staff. Everyone's been phenomenal. They're marvelous."
Lynn Jarrell, cancer center director and an oncology nurse practitioner for 25 years, said the hospital has hosted survivors day activities for the past three years. "This is like a family reunion," she said. The cancer center, which employs about 90 people, treats about 100 cancer patients per day, she said.
Lorita Simms of Huntington, another cancer survivor, stressed the importance of getting regular checkups. Her breast cancer was caught early. "I'm very fortunate."
Margaret McClary of Huntington, a three-year cancer survivor, had a similar story. Her breast cancer was caught early. She had two surgeries and radiation therapy. "I'm forever grateful to this hospital," she said.
Dave Glick of Huntington is a 24-year cancer survivor. He had melanoma and didn't tell his wife about it for a year.
"I was scared," he admitted.
He had surgery in Huntington and Houston.
"I try to attend all of these (survivor) events I can and try to go on the walks," he said. "I feel so very blessed. God saved my life."
Cancer survivors and their families were treated to lunch and dessert and given materials to make a Christmas ornament that will be displayed on a tree at the cancer center this December.
