ACS hosts cancer survivor dinner in Pennsville

Transcription

1 1 of 2 5/30/ :00 AM ACS hosts cancer survivor dinner in Pennsville Saturday, May 29, 2010 By Deena DiBacco ddibacco@sjnewsco.com PENNSVILLE TWP. - For 12 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has hosted a survivor dinner for those who have fought and won their battles. This year the annual dinner not only served as a kickoff to the ACS June 4 Relay for Life here, it also marked the largest group of survivors in the dinner's 12-year run. While the first-ever dinner was attended by 44 survivors, technological advancements in those 12 years are what co-chair and fellow survivor Rob McGregor said is proof of how far research has come. "This is our largest group of survivors ever," said McGregor. "We have over 100." Thursday night's dinner had an Oscar Awards theme and the Pennsville FOP was decorated with photos of Hollywood cancer fighters. Every survivor was called up to receive an ACS medallion and golden "Oscar." But the golden statues had a special meaning. They signified "Best Supporting Cast," and signified support systems - family, friends, loved ones - who fight right alongside those afflicted. The Hollywood glamour was sparked by the event's other chair, Julie Wentzell. The dinner was her first year hosting, but her impact rubbed off on McGregor, who said her constant effort made this dinner the most successful. Wentzell's passion for the cause was evident as she addressed the 100-some survivors and their support systems. "Cancer first entered my life when I was a girl and my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer," said Wentzell through tears. "And I promise that I will fight for every one of you, for the rest of my life, to find a cure for you." Speaker Libby Maurer exemplified the fact that cancer affects more than just the patient. For the first time since her daughter, Tracey Lynn Maurer, lost her fight with cancer 29 years ago, Libby decided to speak about it. The pain that cancer caused her family, which kept Libby silent for nearly three decades, finally reemerged in her daughter's story. Tracey was 18 when diagnosed. "Five weeks exactly from the day she was diagnosed, she died," said Libby. "And I can finally say that out loud." There were tears, but Libby told the sea of survivors and supporters how she made it through. "She was amazing," Libby said. "But people are amazing, too, and I never would have gotten through it if it weren't for the people - and I thank all of you for helping each other." And before she stepped down, Libby asked guests if she could hold up a picture of her daughter so that

2 2 of 2 5/30/ :00 AM they could put a face to a name. The face of Tracey, the teenager whose time was cut so short, smiled out over the faces of survivors. Their message, to keep fighting and live life to the fullest, was nothing new to Libby. Libby told the faces how Tracey had a boyfriend at the time she was diagnosed. Tracey had worked hard to find him sponsorship so he could travel to Europe for soccer training. When she was diagnosed, he refused to leave her and go to Europe. But she wouldn't take no for an answer. "She told him she didn't do all that work and find him sponsors for him not to go," said Libby. "Her treatment had made her unable to speak, so she took his hand, and with her finger, she traced L-I-V-E." After 29 years of silence, Libby had spoken. And as she stepped down from the podium, someone at the back of the room shouted. "And you're amazing!" It was a night of amazing people, stories and support for the cause. According to event co-chairs, the Pennsville FOP has always donated its building for the survivor dinner. Italian Kitchen of Pennsville's donation to cater the event has also always been a constant. "It's all free. It's all donated," said Wentzell. "The flowers, the centerpieces, drinks, DJ, entertainment, everything." Survivors were reminded by McGregor to wear their symbolic purple shirts proudly. "And survivors, let's see those purple shirts," he said. "Because you are the ones we have to thank. You are the ones who inspire this community." McGregor spoke of their courage by reciting an old adage. "They say courage is ordinary people who are put into extraordinary circumstances," he said. "And you all are extraordinary." 2010 Today's Sunbeam 2010 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.

3 1 of 2 5/30/ :01 AM ACS hosts cancer survivor dinner in Pennsville - Page 2 PENNSVILLE TWP. - For 12 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has hosted a survivor dinner for those who have fought and won their battles. This year the annual dinner not only served as a kickoff to the ACS June 4 Relay for Life here, it also marked the largest group of survivors in the dinner's 12-year run. While the first-ever dinner was attended by 44 survivors, technological advancements in those 12 years are what co-chair and fellow survivor Rob McGregor said is proof of how far research has come. "This is our largest group of survivors ever," said McGregor. "We have over 100." Thursday night's dinner had an Oscar Awards theme and the Pennsville FOP was decorated with photos of Hollywood cancer fighters. Every survivor was called up to receive an ACS medallion and golden "Oscar." But the golden statues had a special meaning. They signified "Best Supporting Cast," and signified support systems - family, friends, loved ones - who fight right alongside those afflicted. The Hollywood glamour was sparked by the event's other chair, Julie Wentzell. The dinner was her first year hosting, but her impact rubbed off on McGregor, who said her constant effort made this dinner the most successful. Wentzell's passion for the cause was evident as she addressed the 100-some survivors and their support systems. "Cancer first entered my life when I was a girl and my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer," said Wentzell through tears. "And I promise that I will fight for every one of you, for the rest of my life, to find a cure for you." Speaker Libby Maurer exemplified the fact that cancer affects more than just the patient. For the first time since her daughter, Tracey Lynn Maurer, lost her fight with cancer 29 years ago, Libby decided to speak about it. The pain that cancer caused her family, which kept Libby silent for nearly three decades, finally reemerged in her daughter's story. Tracey was 18 when diagnosed. "Five weeks exactly from the day she was diagnosed, she died," said Libby. "And I can finally say that out loud." There were tears, but Libby told the sea of survivors and supporters how she made it through. "She was amazing," Libby said. "But people are amazing, too, and I never would have gotten through it if it weren't for the people - and I thank all of you for helping each other." And before she stepped down, Libby asked guests if she could hold up a picture of her daughter so that they could put a face to a name. The face of Tracey, the teenager whose time was cut so short, smiled out over the faces of survivors. Their message, to keep fighting and live life to the fullest, was nothing new to Libby.

4 2 of 2 5/30/ :01 AM Libby told the faces how Tracey had a boyfriend at the time she was diagnosed. Tracey had worked hard to find him sponsorship so he could travel to Europe for soccer training. When she was diagnosed, he refused to leave her and go to Europe. But she wouldn't take no for an answer. "She told him she didn't do all that work and find him sponsors for him not to go," said Libby. "Her treatment had made her unable to speak, so she took his hand, and with her finger, she traced L-I-V-E." After 29 years of silence, Libby had spoken. And as she stepped down from the podium, someone at the back of the room shouted. "And you're amazing!" It was a night of amazing people, stories and support for the cause. According to event co-chairs, the Pennsville FOP has always donated its building for the survivor dinner. Italian Kitchen of Pennsville's donation to cater the event has also always been a constant. "It's all free. It's all donated," said Wentzell. "The flowers, the centerpieces, drinks, DJ, entertainment, everything." Survivors were reminded by McGregor to wear their symbolic purple shirts proudly. "And survivors, let's see those purple shirts," he said. "Because you are the ones we have to thank. You are the ones who inspire this community." McGregor spoke of their courage by reciting an old adage. "They say courage is ordinary people who are put into extraordinary circumstances," he said. "And you all are extraordinary." 2010 Today's Sunbeam 2010 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.

5 1 of 2 5/30/ :01 AM ACS hosts cancer survivor dinner in Pennsville - Page 3 PENNSVILLE TWP. - For 12 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has hosted a survivor dinner for those who have fought and won their battles. This year the annual dinner not only served as a kickoff to the ACS June 4 Relay for Life here, it also marked the largest group of survivors in the dinner's 12-year run. While the first-ever dinner was attended by 44 survivors, technological advancements in those 12 years are what co-chair and fellow survivor Rob McGregor said is proof of how far research has come. "This is our largest group of survivors ever," said McGregor. "We have over 100." Thursday night's dinner had an Oscar Awards theme and the Pennsville FOP was decorated with photos of Hollywood cancer fighters. Every survivor was called up to receive an ACS medallion and golden "Oscar." But the golden statues had a special meaning. They signified "Best Supporting Cast," and signified support systems - family, friends, loved ones - who fight right alongside those afflicted. The Hollywood glamour was sparked by the event's other chair, Julie Wentzell. The dinner was her first year hosting, but her impact rubbed off on McGregor, who said her constant effort made this dinner the most successful. Wentzell's passion for the cause was evident as she addressed the 100-some survivors and their support systems. "Cancer first entered my life when I was a girl and my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer," said Wentzell through tears. "And I promise that I will fight for every one of you, for the rest of my life, to find a cure for you." Speaker Libby Maurer exemplified the fact that cancer affects more than just the patient. For the first time since her daughter, Tracey Lynn Maurer, lost her fight with cancer 29 years ago, Libby decided to speak about it. The pain that cancer caused her family, which kept Libby silent for nearly three decades, finally reemerged in her daughter's story. Tracey was 18 when diagnosed. "Five weeks exactly from the day she was diagnosed, she died," said Libby. "And I can finally say that out loud." There were tears, but Libby told the sea of survivors and supporters how she made it through. "She was amazing," Libby said. "But people are amazing, too, and I never would have gotten through it if it weren't for the people - and I thank all of you for helping each other." And before she stepped down, Libby asked guests if she could hold up a picture of her daughter so that they could put a face to a name. The face of Tracey, the teenager whose time was cut so short, smiled out over the faces of survivors. Their message, to keep fighting and live life to the fullest, was nothing new to Libby.

6 2 of 2 5/30/ :01 AM Libby told the faces how Tracey had a boyfriend at the time she was diagnosed. Tracey had worked hard to find him sponsorship so he could travel to Europe for soccer training. When she was diagnosed, he refused to leave her and go to Europe. But she wouldn't take no for an answer. "She told him she didn't do all that work and find him sponsors for him not to go," said Libby. "Her treatment had made her unable to speak, so she took his hand, and with her finger, she traced L-I-V-E." After 29 years of silence, Libby had spoken. And as she stepped down from the podium, someone at the back of the room shouted. "And you're amazing!" It was a night of amazing people, stories and support for the cause. According to event co-chairs, the Pennsville FOP has always donated its building for the survivor dinner. Italian Kitchen of Pennsville's donation to cater the event has also always been a constant. "It's all free. It's all donated," said Wentzell. "The flowers, the centerpieces, drinks, DJ, entertainment, everything." Survivors were reminded by McGregor to wear their symbolic purple shirts proudly. "And survivors, let's see those purple shirts," he said. "Because you are the ones we have to thank. You are the ones who inspire this community." McGregor spoke of their courage by reciting an old adage. "They say courage is ordinary people who are put into extraordinary circumstances," he said. "And you all are extraordinary." 2010 Today's Sunbeam 2010 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.