I just attended this event. The three speakers at the panel were a middle-aged woman named Connie, who has dealt with and is dealing with melanoma; Sam, who is a 21 year old JMU student who survived Non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma; and Teresa, a 49 year old breast cancer survivor. I came a little late and missed Connie's story. Sam told her story next. Sam is a really good friend of my roommate so I was particularly interested in her story. Sam dealt with cancer from the age of 14-17. She didn't have to go through chemotherapy but her rare cancer made her very sick and she was on a lot of different types of medication. She wasn't allowed outside for too long either because her cancer was skin-related and sun damage would react with the medication she was on. The third cancer survivor, Teresa, is a nurse who has been breast-cancer free for about four years now. It was interesting hearing about cancer from someone who is in the medical world. She said that even though she was knowledgeable about all of her symptoms and statistics, fear of dying trumped knowledge. After they all told their stories, there was a brief question and answer session. The survivors were able to relate certain parts about their 'journey.' For example, they stressed that humor was important. They all agreed that cancer treatment definitely 'sucks' though - even if their outlooks on life have changed tremendously. They said that treating a cancer patient how you would normally treat them is important as well. They also said that many people don't know what to say to those with cancer. The survivors said that simple "I'm thinking of you" cards are nice and that saying "Oh so and so had cancer too" is not suggested. Teresa also said that many people asked "what can I do to help?" and she never knew what to say -- she said those who just DID something nice were the most appreciated. Overall, the event was very inspiring and positive -- cancer touches everyone at one point or another. It was especially nice to hear Sam's story.
This was a very touchging event and hearing the cancer survivors speak was inspiring. The first survivor that spoke had been diagnosed with cancer 16 times, sinced she was 20 years old. Yet, she never once let it beat her and she was able to overcome it. The second cancer survivor is a JMU student. She told her story with humor, and she was able to laugh about it. I found her story to be very touching because someone who is the same age as me, has been through so much and has been diagnosed since she was 14. The third cancer survivor got breast cancer at the age of 45. She also used humor in telling her story, and is able to help others because she is a nurse at a womens care center. All three of these women were strong, positive individuals. I found it inspiring that even though all three of them have had to battle cancer, they all say they would not change having it because it made them who they are today. They also said that humor really helped them get through it. They said you just have to laugh, because laughter really is the best medicine. Also, the third cancer suvivor talked about being an advocate when you have cancer. When the JMU student told a story of having to wear a hospital gown when she felt uncomfortable doing so, the third cancer survivor told her that she should stand up for herself, and only do what she feels comfortable with. These women were truly amazing, and it made me realize that there are people who overcome cancer. The women all said they now appreciate the little things in life, and that really made me wonder if I take things for granted. I give these women so much credit for sharing their stories with so many people. Cancer affects almost everyone in some way, and hearing their stories was inspiring and made me realize that people can beat cancer.
Last Thursday I attended the “Survivor Panel” held in HHS, which is an event affiliated with Relay for Life. Three women, Connie, Sam, and Teresa told their stories of their personal battles with cancer and then opened the room up to any questions. Overall, it was a very emotional event and definitely touched the audience in a heartfelt manner. Connie Hodge spoke first about her battle with skin cancer. At the age of 20, she was diagnosed with her first melanoma, only to be diagnosed 16 more times throughout her life. This story hit home with me because skin cancer is prevalent in my family. I can’t tell you how many times my mom has reiterated the idea of wearing sunscreen whenever I go outside. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rolled my eyes at her. Now that I’m older, however, I do take the idea of skin cancer much more seriously and am much more responsible with my actions. Hearing Connie speak however, was much more convincing than anything my parents have told me. She told her story in a way that made me realize this could happen to anyone, especially me. And I think that’s true for all the speakers. Both Sam and Teresa were convincing in their presentation as well. Especially Sam, I mean she’s a JMU student just like the rest of us. I think that’s what is so persuasive about these kind of things, it’s everyday people, like you and me, telling the stories. It creates that sense of dissonance for the audience that actually opens us up to the idea that this could happen to us. I think events like this are extremely important because not only do they honor the lives of the survivors but also educate the public on what we can do to help make a difference. It lures us in by appealing to our emotions and then gets us to take action by appealing to our fears. I’m really glad I had to opportunity to hear these amazing people tell their stories.
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I just attended this event. The three speakers at the panel were a middle-aged woman named Connie, who has dealt with and is dealing with melanoma; Sam, who is a 21 year old JMU student who survived Non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma; and Teresa, a 49 year old breast cancer survivor. I came a little late and missed Connie's story. Sam told her story next. Sam is a really good friend of my roommate so I was particularly interested in her story. Sam dealt with cancer from the age of 14-17. She didn't have to go through chemotherapy but her rare cancer made her very sick and she was on a lot of different types of medication. She wasn't allowed outside for too long either because her cancer was skin-related and sun damage would react with the medication she was on. The third cancer survivor, Teresa, is a nurse who has been breast-cancer free for about four years now. It was interesting hearing about cancer from someone who is in the medical world. She said that even though she was knowledgeable about all of her symptoms and statistics, fear of dying trumped knowledge. After they all told their stories, there was a brief question and answer session. The survivors were able to relate certain parts about their 'journey.' For example, they stressed that humor was important. They all agreed that cancer treatment definitely 'sucks' though - even if their outlooks on life have changed tremendously. They said that treating a cancer patient how you would normally treat them is important as well. They also said that many people don't know what to say to those with cancer. The survivors said that simple "I'm thinking of you" cards are nice and that saying "Oh so and so had cancer too" is not suggested. Teresa also said that many people asked "what can I do to help?" and she never knew what to say -- she said those who just DID something nice were the most appreciated. Overall, the event was very inspiring and positive -- cancer touches everyone at one point or another. It was especially nice to hear Sam's story.
This was a very touchging event and hearing the cancer survivors speak was inspiring. The first survivor that spoke had been diagnosed with cancer 16 times, sinced she was 20 years old. Yet, she never once let it beat her and she was able to overcome it. The second cancer survivor is a JMU student. She told her story with humor, and she was able to laugh about it. I found her story to be very touching because someone who is the same age as me, has been through so much and has been diagnosed since she was 14. The third cancer survivor got breast cancer at the age of 45. She also used humor in telling her story, and is able to help others because she is a nurse at a womens care center. All three of these women were strong, positive individuals. I found it inspiring that even though all three of them have had to battle cancer, they all say they would not change having it because it made them who they are today. They also said that humor really helped them get through it. They said you just have to laugh, because laughter really is the best medicine. Also, the third cancer suvivor talked about being an advocate when you have cancer. When the JMU student told a story of having to wear a hospital gown when she felt uncomfortable doing so, the third cancer survivor told her that she should stand up for herself, and only do what she feels comfortable with. These women were truly amazing, and it made me realize that there are people who overcome cancer. The women all said they now appreciate the little things in life, and that really made me wonder if I take things for granted. I give these women so much credit for sharing their stories with so many people. Cancer affects almost everyone in some way, and hearing their stories was inspiring and made me realize that people can beat cancer.
Last Thursday I attended the “Survivor Panel” held in HHS, which is an event affiliated with Relay for Life. Three women, Connie, Sam, and Teresa told their stories of their personal battles with cancer and then opened the room up to any questions. Overall, it was a very emotional event and definitely touched the audience in a heartfelt manner. Connie Hodge spoke first about her battle with skin cancer. At the age of 20, she was diagnosed with her first melanoma, only to be diagnosed 16 more times throughout her life. This story hit home with me because skin cancer is prevalent in my family. I can’t tell you how many times my mom has reiterated the idea of wearing sunscreen whenever I go outside. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rolled my eyes at her. Now that I’m older, however, I do take the idea of skin cancer much more seriously and am much more responsible with my actions. Hearing Connie speak however, was much more convincing than anything my parents have told me. She told her story in a way that made me realize this could happen to anyone, especially me. And I think that’s true for all the speakers. Both Sam and Teresa were convincing in their presentation as well. Especially Sam, I mean she’s a JMU student just like the rest of us. I think that’s what is so persuasive about these kind of things, it’s everyday people, like you and me, telling the stories. It creates that sense of dissonance for the audience that actually opens us up to the idea that this could happen to us. I think events like this are extremely important because not only do they honor the lives of the survivors but also educate the public on what we can do to help make a difference. It lures us in by appealing to our emotions and then gets us to take action by appealing to our fears. I’m really glad I had to opportunity to hear these amazing people tell their stories.
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