Forrest General Cancer Center Welcomes Large Crowd to Cancer Survivors’ Picnic
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (May 10, 2024) Under sunny skies, a large crowd of cancer patients, survivors, and guests enjoyed a day filled with hope, optimism, and fun at the Forrest General Cancer Center Survivor’s Picnic.
As part of the Cancer Center’s 25th Anniversary celebration, the much-loved Survivor Picnic made its return to the grounds of the Cancer Center. This year’s event was held in the Becky and Bill Oliver Healing Garden and included entertainment by Scott Chism & The Better Half, art contest displays, tables, booths, food, and more.
Attendees had the opportunity to paint memory rocks which will be placed in the garden, have their pictures taken at a photo booth, play corn hole, view art submitted in the recent Colors of Courage art contest sponsored by the Forrest General Cancer Center, and have some fun with Forrest General therapy dog – Major Payne and handler, Keri Ray Galey.
This event is designed to offer a chance for current and former Cancer Center patients to celebrate and fellowship with other survivors and the staff who have become like family while relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather.
Blessed is the word many of those in attendance uttered over and over.
Although Regertha Jordan, a long-time cancer survivor advocate, is now in a wheelchair, she attended the picnic to see friends, nurses, and others she has met along her cancer journey. Jordan is a breast cancer survivor, who is currently in treatment for multiple myeloma. “A week ago Tuesday I rang the bell for the third time for radiation,” she said. “I’m hanging in there, and I’m still here. I am truly blessed. This is so awesome. I can’t complain about anything. I’m so glad to be here. Life is full of changes. You never think you will be in this place. I never thought I would have to have somebody to see about me, but I won’t complain.”
Dorothy Williams of Hattiesburg is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Her first bout with cancer occurred 35 years ago before reappearing 10 year ago. “I love to come out and see everybody,” she said. “My husband, Jessie, is a prostate cancer survivor. God is good to both of us. We made a lot of friends when we were coming to the Cancer Center, a lot of survivors. One of the first people I saw today was an old friend.”
A pancreatic cancer survivor, James Roberts of Hattiesburg, celebrates his two-year anniversary this month. “We came to see some of the friends and some of the nurses he met and got to know while he sat in that chair for hours,” said his wife, Linda. “We got so close to a couple of them. And it is a joy to talk to other survivors who have gone through some of the same stuff he did.”
James said he had chemotherapy, followed by surgery, radiation, and a bone biopsy. “When Dr. Hrom said everything was clear, ‘no cancer,’ I got on my knees in his office praising God,” he said.
“It’s been a struggle, but he’s coming back, gaining weight, growing hair, and getting his personality back,” added Linda.
Forrest Health Vice President, Millie Swan, thanked those who attended the picnic. She spoke about the Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials program, which is now the largest in the state of Mississippi. “This means that our trials will continue to grow and help many with their battle. We are very proud of the many physicians and all of our staff who make this happen.”
“Every journey is different, and every journey leads us to share our story with others,” she said. “Thank you, as a patient or family member for the story you may be sharing one day with someone who may come behind you. Your story can make a big difference in helping someone else who is walking in your shoes.”
Forrest General’s Cancer Center urges everyone to make healthy choices like not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active and getting recommended screening tests. Screenings for breast, prostate, lung, colon or other types of cancer increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be curable.
For more information about the Forrest General Cancer Center, visit forresthealth.org/cancer.
ABOUT FORREST GENERAL CANCER CENTER
Forrest General Hospital Cancer Center ranks among the largest and most sophisticated cancer treatment centers in South Mississippi. It offers a place where patients can receive advanced care in a beautiful, compassionate environment. Forrest General operates the only comprehensive community Cancer Center in the 19-county service area, and is accredited by the College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The center features the services of a multidisciplinary team led by medical oncologists/hematologists and radiation oncologists, who provide high quality medical care in a continuum of settings. In addition to medical and radiation oncologists, a complete range of physician specialists provide expertise in diagnoses, surgical removal, disease management and reconstructive procedures.
