June 7, 2000
Celebrating survivors' spirit
National Cancer Survivors Day honors those battling disease
By Garret Leiva
Herald editor
Cancer and celebrate are two words seldom used in the same sentence. A celebration, however, is the exact definition of National Cancer Survivors Day.
A decade in existence locally, the National Cancer Survivors Day picnic was held Sunday on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. Attended by nearly 200 cancer survivors and their families, the event focused on survivorship from cancer.
"We all believe that cancer is not a disease you get by yourself. Everyone that loves you gets it with you," said Terry Gremel, clinical nurse specialist with Munson Medical Center Cancer Services.
"Here there is no chemotherapy, no radiation therapy. Instead, there is just friendship and caring about what these people have been through," noted the local Cancer Survivors Day committee chairperson.
Held the first week in June each year, the National Cancer Survivors Day takes a 10 person committee six months to plan. Committee members solicit raffle donations and food from local businesses, along with organizing activities such as face painting and hand massages. Awards were also presented to the longest cancer survivor, most recent treatment, youngest and oldest cancer survivors.
Another picnic highlight is the release of balloons by cancer survivors and their family members. Watching the hundreds of balloons drift over towering trees on the Commons grounds has become a yearly tradition, noted Gremel.
"It is about celebrating being alive, celebrating their journey," she said.
Cancer is a journey that more than a million people will begin this year after being diagnosed with the disease. Statistically, a little more than half of these people will find a cure; many living with cancer as a chronic disease. Locally, Gremel noted that well over 1,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year at Munson Medical Center.
Attending the Survivors Day picnic for the fourth year, Joan Liberti has found her journey with cancer a daily exercise of faith and courage.
Five years ago this July, Liberti was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer, which is found in the lining of the abdomen. A form of cancer typically not detected early, Liberti continues with chemotherapy treatments - the latest round performed just last week. Calling her cancer a "chronic illness," Liberti remains steadfastly optimistic.
"Usually people ask if you're in remission, I'm not and probably never will be again. You can live with a disease like diabetes, and you can live with cancer," said Liberti, who noted that her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer only a few weeks ago.
For Liberti, living with cancer means taking time to savor life. Choosing an early retirement, the Traverse City resident has pursued her dreams of traveling without adhering to a time clock or seasons. Her journey with cancer has also forged friendships with fellow survivors; many in attendance at Sunday's picnic.
"A lot of people come into it with 'why me' bitterness and anger. Sometimes being around other cancer survivors who look at it differently helps them get further along on their journey," Liberti said.
As part of that ongoing journey, the Survivors Day picnic provides an opportunity to use the words cancer and celebrate together.
"We hope survivors feel like they have celebrated being alive and that they have been honored for their fight," Gremel noted.
"You see people go through this often terrifying illness with such incredible grace and courage."
For information on local cancer services and support groups, call Terry Gremel at 935-6578 or 1-800-4-MUNSON.