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CANCER SURVIVORS CELEBRATE, REMEMBER AND FIGHT

By Tirzah Pope/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Monday, April 27, 2009 11:49 PM CDT

Cancer survivors and their caregivers celebrated life with fellowship and food Friday at the Good Faith-Carr Methodist Church.

Kathy Campbell, a host, Lakesha Ward, a speaker and Kathy Oxner, an entertainer were participants at the Relay for Life dinner Friday. Pine Bluff Commercial/Tirzah Pope

The evening began with live music from Kathy Oxner, a singer and songwriter from Rison who lost her mother to cancer 10 years ago.

The event was hosted by two-time cancer survivor, Kathy Campbell, who is convinced that “God spared me so that I can help other people with cancer.”

Later in the evening Lakesha Ward told her story of strength and survival to the 88 guests.

“I am an 11-month cervical cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at 27 and I had so much ahead of me,” Ward said. “I had two beautiful daughters that I had to be here for. My heart dropped and all I could think about were my two babies and my Mama. Instead of asking why me, I looked to the Lord and said let your will be done and if this testimony is meant for me then I welcome it with open arms … After my hysterectomy I began to heal both emotionally and physically.”

Ward explained that her family was supportive and loving but, they didn’t understand the hot flashes and the effects of chemotherapy.

“When I came to the cancer support group they handed me some ice when I started to fan myself, I knew then that they understood,” she said.

Oncologist, Dr. Asif Masood of the Arkansas Cancer Institute, presented current cancer statistics and gave the crowd prevention tips. The focus of his presentation was that the community take a “yes we can” approach to saving lives.

As the night came to a close, Campbell gave gifts to survivors, caregivers and the special guests who helped make the night a success.

The event was life-affirming and it was a place where survivors and caregivers could come together and share their experiences. Former co-workers at L.L Owen Elementary School: Princella Gardner, 16-year survivor, Sherry Beckwith 19-year survivor and Helen Walker 21-year survivor, sat together as three of the nearly 11 million cancer survivors in the U.S. today.

At the end of the evening, Jodie Jolly, Relay for Life coordinator, reminded the guests to support the upcoming Relay for Life event at Saracean Landing at 6 p.m. Saturday.

“I do this for my Dad who I lost to cancer two years ago and for my husband who is a two time survivor. If I can help one person, it is worth it,” Jolly said.

“Relay for Life is about celebration, remembrance and hope,” an American Cancer Society brochure said. By participating, you honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives we’ve lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight it. We relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.”

Parking for the event will be at Saracean Landing and at the courthouse. Shuttles at the courthouse will take participants to the event.

For more information about Relay for Life, contact Jodie Jolly or Leslie Beatty at 535-7222.

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