10th annual Cancer Survivors Day draws dozens to celebrate

The 10th Annual Cape Cod Healthcare Cancer Survivors Day at the Hyport Conference Center in Hyannis was definitely a day of celebration. I was one of the 108 survivors and 71 guests to be greeted by a group of rousing cheerleaders comprised of Cape Cod Hospital oncology staff and volunteers.

After checking in and armed with a raffle ticket giving me the opportunity to win one of the 77 gift baskets created and donated by hospital departments and physicians’ offices, I entered the epicenter for the Sept. 29 celebration.

The many vendor booths included Team Maureen, Below the Belt Women’s Cancer Outreach, the Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary and Cape Cod Hospital Volunteer Services and Cape Cod Healthcare Oncology Rehabilitation Services. A more private area was set aside for mini massages and Reiki.

I spoke with Doris Kramer from Falmouth, who is a caregiver for her husband, Joe, who has cancer. She was painting a colorful butterfly at the Lilly Oncology on Canvas paint by number table and commented that she had never painted before.

“Caregivers need just as much support,” said Kramer.

A Celebration of Life

Ethan Glazener, MD, a Cape Cod Hospital radiation oncologist was the emcee who introduced the speakers.

“Today is a celebration of the life you get to live because you faced cancer with courage and bravery amidst the fear,” said Dr. Glazener. “You faced this down and you are standing or sitting and enjoying a meal, enjoying company with us and sharing your stories. We thank you for that.”

Lori Jewett, MSN, RN, chief operating officer of Cape Cod Healthcare, senior vice president of operations of CCHC thanked everyone for attending and thanked the physicians, committee members, staff, volunteers and exhibition partners. She also spoke about the Edwin Barbey Patient Care Pavilion at Cape Cod Hospital that will open in the Spring of 2025.

“This new building will redefine our cancer and clinical care for Cape Cod,” she said. “We will have the latest in radiation therapy treatment technology as well as spacious, private infusion bays, many with a beautiful view of our new roof garden. Every single aspect of the cancer center has been designed specifically with you in mind.”

“Vitamin F”

President and Chairman of the Board at Cape Wellness Collaborative, Mark Clausen, began his inspirational speech by talking about the survivors he met at the celebration. He and his wife Joanna are both breast cancer survivors.

“I just want to say I am so overwhelmed with the courage of the folks I have spoken with today; the strength that they have to be here and to carry on with their journey. And what I hope to get across today is there is so much hope in this room and in your life…embrace the hope, latch on to that and believe you will be better,” he said.

Mark talked about his and his wife’s breast cancer journeys with the ups and downs of battling cancer and the care and support they received. Joanna Clausen was diagnosed in November 2022 and Mark was diagnosed in February 2023.

Multiple setbacks with both Mark’s and Joanna’s health also challenged them. Joanna suffered a heart attack in April 2023 and Mark’s stage of breast cancer increased from 1 to 3 in June 2023, after removal of 21 lymph nodes, 17 of which were cancerous. The side effects from one half year of chemotherapy and 2 months of radiation were numerous and painful.

“Just when we were feeling our lowest, and feeling sorry for ourselves, I was reminded what my mom called ‘Vitamin F,’” said Mark. “Vitamin F got us through our roughest patches in 18 months journey. Vitamin F is faith, family, friends. We had deep faith that we would push through and be well, we tried to stay positive. Our loving family was so supportive, and our cherished friends were standing shoulder to shoulder, several of them are in this room. We had a village helping us, we were lucky, we put our trust in Cape Cod Healthcare. Dr. Naomi Kalliath (a breast surgeon at the Cuda Breast Care Center at CCHC and Falmouth Hospital Breast Care Center at CCHC) and her team explained everything, provided recommendations and held our hands throughout the entire process.

“Find your vitamin F, hold on to it, don’t give up, power through, believe you will be better, find an inspiration, be an inspiration, trust yourself, trust in God, and trust your medical teams. If there is one thing to remember, don’t ever forget to take your vitamin F.”

Importance of Research

Deb Graff, the second inspirational speaker spoke about her journey with multiple myeloma, which is cancer of the plasma cells.

“My journey has been very interesting because I have been through many protocols, many of which did not work,” said Graff. “The research that has been done over the past 15 years is really something to look at because it is important in our lives. Although some treatments I have been on failed, there has always been something else that has come up that can step into its place. That’s the way research works. There can be a scientist in a different country coming up with a cure or a new protocol that can make living with cancer easier and more comfortable.

“Technically, at this point I am in remission. Although I am still receiving treatment, the reality is there is hope out there and you’re not to give up on that. The more people you tell about your cancer journey, the more support you will have, and you will need because you can’t do it alone. There are plenty of people in this room who have had cancer and are willing to offer the support to you. If you don’t have family or close friends, there is someone here you can reach out to and give you the courage and stamina you need to keep going.”

Graff also spoke about the importance of clinical trials (research that helps scientists develop new medications for treatment).

“Clinical trials give hope,” Graff said. “The new Cape Cod Hospital cancer facility will have (clinical) trials of their own, don’t be afraid to volunteer for them because it’s our way of giving back. One of the clinical trials I was in eight years ago is now one of the cornerstone treatments for multiple myeloma. I am very proud to have been a part of the clinical trial. Don’t ever give up hope.”

The celebration ended with many survivors winning a beautiful gift basket to take home and enjoy some self-care, including myself, which was another gift for my 10th celebratory year of remission from ovarian cancer.