Cancer survivors celebrate life

A celebration of life was held yesterday at the Aiken Regional Medical Centers Cancer Center.

"Maybe it's your family, maybe it's your coworker or your neighbor, or maybe you yourself are a cancer survivor. In America alone, there are approximately 10.8 million people living with a history of cancer," said Carlos A. Milanes, Aiken Regional Medical Centers chief executive officer. "I have heard from so many of you that you can live a fulfilling life after a cancer diagnosis. And that is what today is all about - celebrating that life," he continued.

"We do not have the ability to predict our future or change our past, but we do have the ability to enjoy each moment in life that we are given and celebrate and cherish those moments. They only happen once. Today shows that with hope, faith and belief, you can beat the disease. It's as much psychological as physical."

Growing from about 100 survivors 14 years ago, the Aiken Regional Medical Centers celebration of National Cancer Survivor Day drew more than 450 survivors and their families together to celebrate life on Thursday. The annual event offers a unique time for doctors, nurses and patients to come together and share in a picnic as they celebrate the battles they have overcome.

Andrea Lazzaro attended the lunch with her daughter and two grandchildren for the first time. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January and has undergone surgery and chemotherapy with radiation treatments to begin soon.

"I heard this was happening and I wanted to come," said Lazzaro. "After I was first diagnosed, I asked the Lord to lead me to the doctors he wanted, and he did. The doctors and nurses here were very gentle with me and made me comfortable. I would tell others who are just being diagnosed to stay calm, know it's going to be all right and talk to others about it."

"It was hard when she was first diagnosed, but I know she is a strong lady," said Angalina Perea, Lazzaro's daughter. "I knew she'd be all right."

"It has been good because she doesn't feel the need to use kid gloves with me, and that makes me feel normal," said Lazzaro.

Sharlene Mills and Patricia Caudle are sisters-in-law who share the common bond of survivorship. Mills is a 13-year survivor of rectal cancer, and Caudle is a five-year survivor of breast cancer. Both have an extensive family history dealing with cancer. Caudle lost both of her parents to cancer; Mills' mother and two brothers have battled different forms of cancer, and she lost her 35-year-old son to cancer.

"We survived it," the sisters-in-law agreed. "Thank God we caught it in time."

"I went for my yearly mammogram when it was detected," said Caudle. "When you hear you've got cancer, there is no way to tell anyone how it feels."

"We do this every year to highlight and celebrate survivors," said Dr. Ahmad Gill, Medical Oncology. "Today is very important for awareness. ... Cancer is a dreaded diagnosis as it is seen as a death sentence. ... The goal of treatment is to make cancer like a chronic disease that can be managed. The key is early detection; don't ignore the symptoms. One of our goals at the cancer center is prevention."

"Sheer terror sets in when you hear the diagnosis," said Mills. "I didn't let it change my life. I do what I want to do. We were fortunate to have very supportive husbands. I have only missed one of these celebrations in the past 13 years. It is such a nice thing they do for everybody."

"We are just glad we are here," Caudle said.

During the celebration, Mildred G. Webb and Crystal Flannigan were honored as the two longest survivors, each with 46 years to their credit. Webb, 92, overcame cervical cancer in 1963 and breast cancer in 2001.

"The key is you have to think positive and put your trust in the Lord," said Webb. "Don't give up; so many people just give up."

The Cancer Center is located at 302 University Parkway and may be reached at 641-5060.

For more information on Aiken Regional Medical Centers Cancer Center's newest program Breast Health Nurse Navigator, pick up Monday's HealthCheck featured in the Living on the Go section of the Aiken Standard.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.