Methodist’s Survivor Sundae proves just how sweet victory can be

 

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National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual, worldwide celebration of life where cancer survivors unite to show the world what life after cancer looks like. On Sunday, June 1, life after cancer looked like a warm summer day resplendent in sunshine. It sounded like old-fashioned mountain music being carried on a gentle Tennessee breeze. It tasted like a bowl full of ice cream topped with chocolate and cookies and sprinkles…and a bit of whipped cream for good measure. On Sunday, June 1, life after cancer looked beautiful whether it was still a little weak, still healing a scar, still re-growing hair, or whether it was an old friend that had come many years before, but never looses its sweetness.

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge honored these cancer survivors, their family, and friends by holding Survivor Sundae, an ice cream social celebrating National Cancer Survivor Day on Sunday, June 1. Nearly 100 people gathered to enjoy the free event, make ice cream sundaes, connect with other survivors and cancer support organizations, and listen to music by the Mt. LeConte Jug Band, which was sponsored by the Cooperative Agreement of Labor and Management, also known as CALM.

“Sometimes people have a negative idea of what life after cancer looks like,” said Kim Maes, coordinator of the Hospitality Houses at Methodist and event organizer. “But the reality is that more people are living longer and having better quality lives after cancer than ever before. Survivors are showing us that life after cancer can be meaningful, exciting, and filled with joy.”

 

The day was indeed filled with joy, with music and friends, with door prizes and giveaways. The American Cancer Society and the Cancer Support Community were on hand to provide information to guests, as were staff members from Thompson Cancer Survivor Center at Methodist, the Oak Ridge Breast Center, and the Comprehensive Chest and Breast Centers.

A big thanks to these organizations and services who came out to support Methodist Medical Center’s Survivor Sundae, as well as all the volunteers who helped make this event such a success.

“It could not have happened without you,” said Maes in her remarks at the event. “Special thanks to Methodist Medical Center’s Nutrition Services department, Environmental Services department, Engineering department, Security, Volunteer Services, Marketing, and Administration.”

The event included people of all ages, from all walks of life, and with many different associations with this disease that touches everyone in some way.

“It was wonderful to see people fresh out of treatment coming to celebrate life,” Maes said. “This event shows cancer survivors that people in the community care and want to celebrate with them as they come through such a difficult journey.”

 

The community’s support is vital to cancer patients as we see each day through the Hospitality Houses at Methodist. The Houses provide free, temporary lodging to cancer patients and their families when they must travel for treatment at Methodist. The Houses are supported through the charitable donations of the community, which include monetary gifts, as well as donations of food, household supplies, and volunteer time. The community has also come together to raise money for life-saving and treatment-enhancing technology like the cone beam CT used for radiation treatments and the specialized coils needed for breast MRI.

Survivor Sundae was not about raising money. It was about raising awareness that the odds are getting better, that lives are being saved, that each and every day there is new hope and that we are all a part of that.