Reason to Rejoice : Cancer Survivors Gather to Celebrate Victory Over the Dreaded Disease

As most cancer survivors can attest, the initial diagnosis is usually followed by a sense of hopelessness and despair that it’s a death sentence from which there is no clemency.

But for those who attended the National Cancer Survivor Day celebrations in Ventura County on Sunday, there were plenty of examples that cancer in many cases can be beat.

More than 100 cancer survivors attended the Ventura County Medical Center’s celebration at Oxnard State Beach to remember their battles with the disease and to give hope to those who are still fighting it.

“What I learned from cancer is that your attitude and outlook are the keys to winning,” said Stephen Pitt, who has been in remission for the past 3 1/2 years.

“It’s easy to be hopeless and sometimes want to give up, but you can’t,” Pitt said. “You’ve got to keep thinking, ‘I’m going to beat it, I’m going to beat it.’ ”

Known by the oncology staff at the hospital as “The Miracle,” the 43-year-old Oxnard resident was diagnosed in March 1993 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a particularly virulent form of cancer that two years ago claimed the life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Although it was caught early enough to treat, the cancer quickly spread from Pitt’s lymph nodes to his liver, kidneys and spleen.

“Yeah, I was knocking on death’s door, but I made it,” he said before whisking away one of his former nurses for a quick dance. “I’m proof cancer isn’t the end.”

Organizers and hospital staff who participated in Sunday’s event said it was a chance to join with patients in celebrating their victories against the disease.

“Not only is it a day for them to forget about cancer, but it also boosts their morale,” said Cathy Deen, an oncology nurse at Ventura County Medical Center. “Cancer is frightening for both them and their families, but today they can look around and see there’s hope.”

In addition to swapping stories of their harrowing fights with cancer over plates of barbecued beef, piles of potato salad and cool slices of watermelon, the survivors danced, chatted with hospital staff and enjoyed an all-too-rare day of relaxation with their families.

Since being diagnosed with brain cancer two years ago, 5-year-old Hilary Corley has spent much of her time in the hospital undergoing treatment. For her, it was a day to forget about IV drips, chemotherapy and CT scans, and instead, concentrate on hitting her dad with a wet sponge and getting her face painted.

“I want my face like that,” Hilary said, pointing to a group of other child survivors with purple flowers painted on their cheeks. “But I have to eat first.”

Hilary’s father, Pat Corley of Oxnard, said he drew a lot of much-needed strength from the celebration and thought it was a great help to every victim of cancer, including the families.

“It means a lot to have everyone together to share their experiences,” he said. “Knowing you’re not alone in this helps.”

At the other end of the county, in Westlake Village, more than 300 cancer survivors attended a celebration on the front lawn of the Wellness Community, a nonprofit support center for cancer patients and their families.

For celebrants, who have lived with the disease from six months to 28 years, it was an event well worth celebrating.

“I’ve survived and I’m here,” said 60-year-old Phyllis Hoffman, who was diagnosed in April 1995 with esophageal cancer and has since had her esophagus and part of her stomach removed. “But more importantly, it’s wonderful to see so many survivors here smiling . . . it gives everyone a lot of hope.”

While not providing any oncologic treatment for patients, the Wellness Community offers a wide variety of services for victims and families including support groups, nutrition counseling and emotional assistance.

Dr. Michael Masterson, a cancer specialist at the Westlake Comprehensive Cancer Center, said the celebration was more than just a party to mark a patient’s survival, but was also an integral part of the treatment process.

“The psycho-social aspects to cancer treatment have proven to be absolutely necessary to treating the disease, so this kind of event is perfect,” he said. “It helps motivate the patients and keeps them going through what is often a very difficult time physically, emotionally and psychologically.”

Joann Horwitz, a 28-year survivor of uterine cancer, said that although her bout with the disease is just a distant memory, the fact that she is here is a testimonial for others like herself.

“When I got it I didn’t know if I’d survive, but I did and I’ve lived a long time in spite of it,” she said. “It makes me feel good to know that I’m proof cancer isn’t the end, but in some cases is just the beginning.”