Editor’s Note: Our thanks to local media for covering our National Cancer Survivors Day event this past Monday. Here’s an excerpt from Herald-Star journalist Christopher Dacanay’s coverage. To read the full article, please scroll to the bottom and click on the link. 

SURVIVORS — Three cancer survivors at Trinity Health System’s National Cancer Survivors Day celebration shared a moment with Trinity’s mascot, Trinity Tiger. The survivors are, from left, Terry Jennings, Joyce Summers and Patricia Butler. — Christopher Dacanay

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STEUBENVILLE — Trinity Health System celebrated National Cancer Survivors Day Monday with Hawaiian-themed festivities outside Tony Teramana Cancer Center.

Balloon arches and tents stood in the parking lot outside the cancer center, signaling the holiday, which is typically celebrated on the first Sunday of June.

“A cancer survivor is anyone living with a history of cancer from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life,” said Gretchen Heizler, radiation oncology supervisor, in a press release.

Heizler said, “Witnessing many cancer journeys, it is important to celebrate the survivors’ fight, their bravery and their strength. Although their cancer treatment may be completed, they are still surviving the journey.”

Music filled the outdoors as a DJ played upbeat music for those arriving. In the lot, cancer survivors mingled with employees from Trinity. Many wore Hawaiian lei flower necklaces or sunglasses they received from Trinity.

Trinity contacted current and past patients at the cancer center, inviting them to come to the celebration, said Catherine Poludniak, foundation director and cancer survivor.

One of those past patients was Joyce Summers, a cancer survivor of 20 years. Summers is a member of the breast cancer support group that is run through the cancer center at Trinity.

Summers said she was notified by the center about the celebration. She attended to celebrate survivorship as well as get new members for the support group, which meets the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the cancer center.

With Summers was Paulette Frank, the support group’s leader. Frank referred to how tight-knit the community among cancer survivors is, saying, “People need to feel the support of other people.”

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To read this story in its entirety, please click here.

To view WTOV 9’s coverage, please click here.