Cancer survivors party

For many of those who attended a cancer survivor party Sunday at Fremont-Rideout Cancer Center in Marysville, beating the dreaded disease in its various forms was not enough.

They said they felt compelled to come forward and talk to other patients going through a similar struggle, and non-patients who think it can't happen to them or don't understand what a survivor goes through, emotionally and physically.

"After I was touched by it, I wanted to do more for it," said Kevin McConnell, 44, who was a year younger when he got an unlikely diagnosis of prostate cancer.

McConnell, of Olivehurst, sought out other patients, and eventually learned of a somewhat experimental procedure to remove his prostate gland with a robot.

Now in remission, McConnell said he joined and now heads a support group for other prostate patients.

"What you take away is that it's not just you," he said of support groups and events like the once the cancer center hosted to mark National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday.

About 50 or 60 people, comprised of cancer survivors, their families and friends, and cancer center staff, came to the celebration, where they snacked on fruit and crackers as they chatted with others in the center's garden.

In the center hallway leading the garden were a couple dozen pieces of art created by people across the country directly touched by cancer. One photo showed a man's drawn face on his last day of chemotherapy, while a painted scene of a cabin in winter had the baffling title of "Endless Summer."

A note with that painting explained that the artist's sister died of cancer while staying at the cabin, and the artist painted it during winter.

But because the sister died during the summer, the artist made sure a garden painted alongside the cabin was in full bloom.

Other pieces featured an array of styles: abstract paintings, both photographed and painted portraits, and mixed-media pieces.

As still as the artwork was, it contrasted with the survivors who smiled at every eye they caught, and who didn't hesitate to share their stories.

Barbara Ferrari, in remission from fourth-state lung cancer, said it was overwhelming to be around people fighting the same war but unknown to her as fellow soldiers. Being diagnosed with cancer, she said, is hard for a non-patient to understand.

"People open their arms to you here, and they're so caring," said Ferrari, 63, of Olivehurst. "People who don't have cancer, you don't realize how lucky you are. I didn't know."

But going through treatment and its side effects, and then ongoing testing to make sure the cancer doesn't return, she said brings with it a unique appreciation for life.

Ferrari and many others said they're sharing that experience more often, and will do so again as part of the survivors' lap at next weekend's Relay for Life at Geweke Track in Yuba City. The annual event benefits the American Cancer Society.

Those survivors acknowledged that they're part of a growing group, as many forms of cancer now have survival rates far longer than 20 years ago.

McConnell and others attributed that to both strong support networks of friends, family and caregivers as well as better awareness about early detection.

Fremont-Rideout radiation technician Aubree Abacherli of Yuba City said she'd been inspired to get into her profession because she lost an aunt to cancer.

"The word's getting out, and people are not afraid now to get out there and get those checkouts," she said. "That's why you have more survivors."

And another cancer survivor, Dan Shields of Yuba City, said another factor plays a part as well.

"Who are you going to invite to a pity party?" said Shields, 61, an associate pastor at Fusion Christian Fellowship whose prostate cancer was declared in remission six months ago. "You have to have a support network you can depend on to deal with the emotions when the reality hits you.

"That, and faith in God, helps you deal with it."