Betty Richmond raises her hand to proudly proclaim her status as a 41-year breast cancer survivor during a twice-monthly support meeting at the Optimist Club in Northeast El Paso. Photo by Clarence Davis III.
Cancer survivors come together to celebrate life
More than 100 cancer survivors and caregivers celebrated their victory over cancer at the Optimist Club in Northeast El Paso Thursday.
The William Beaumont Army Medical Center Cancer Support Group, which began in 2005, is designed to help patients and their family members live with the disease and to ease their struggles as they struggle with the challenges presented by the disease.
“For the past several years the group has been meeting twice monthly, with a special meeting every several months,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Sung N. Kim, staff chaplain, Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care.
The celebration included dinner, music, survivors sharing their personal experiences, a guest speaker and a magic show.
Immediately following a diagnosis for cancer, there is shock, disappointment and fear of what is going to happen to the rest of your life, said Col. Brad E. Waddell, guest speaker at the event.
“The cornerstone of being a cancer survivor is based upon faith, hope and information,” said Waddell, chief of General Surgery at WBAMC.
Waddell said people diagnosed with cancer should never lose hope when fighting the battle with the disease. Cancer patients and their caregivers should empower themselves to learn as much as they can about the disease and its treatment, he said.
Five-year breast cancer survivor Theresa Stubbemann said she discovered a small lump while doing her monthly self breast examination. She told her doctor who examined her and said she had Stage I breast cancer. The doctor said her case was very unusual because she was young and had no history of breast cancer in her family. Stubbemann advised women of all ages to do monthly self-examinations and let their doctor know if they find a suspicious lump.
The WBAMC Cancer Support Group is an extended family and is an excellent therapy session for all cancer survivors and caregivers who are beneficiaries or receive treatment at WBAMC, said Stubbemann.
“The group is a great way to share experiences and different treatment modalities and to share experiences on how to live with the disease,” she said.
George Geno, a Korean War veteran, was diagnosed with cancer last month. He is still waiting to determine how his cancer will be treated. He said he went with a friend several years ago to a cancer therapy program and helped his friend through his difficult days.
“Today, the WBAMC Cancer Support Group is there for me,” said Geno.
“This group is great and very supportive, especially with all of the different people you get to meet,” said Shirley Goff. “I am very glad that I attended. Attending these meetings has meant so much to me. Foremost, when one is a cancer survivor, they should keep positive people around them; negativity is a downer.”
For the past several years, the WBAMC Cancer Support Group has flourished. It has grown to nearly 150 patients and caregivers.