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MotherWalk 2008

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life Blount Co. chapter was held at the Oneonta City Park on April 25, 2008. Their were 23 teams that participated this year for a combined total funds raised of $87,000.00. Their were several ladies from our CanSurvive group that particated and were part of the Flavor-Pic Tomato Team which raised $19,500.00. It was a great time had by all for a very good cause! Ladies participating were: Kathy Wickstrom, Andrea Smith, Cheryl Bourn, Dianne Baer and Patricia Naish. Pictures can be found here

Pictured above are FISHING RODS WITH TEAL EMBLEMS donated by Chris Stephens of Lake Martin area. Chris has been a great promoter of ovarian cancer awareness. She has had many friends to have the disease and she is determined to give her time and money to promote awareness and education for ovarian cancer.

Chris teamed up with local fisherman Bart Jones - Rod Builder - 256-596-2616 or www.spiderrods.com

These rods will be auctioned off at an upcoming event in September. Of course, if anyone would like one before then, please let us know and we will make sure you have one! We will start the bids at $75.00. They are valued at $150.00 each.

Chris is also a contributor for breast cancer and plays in the Pro Am Golf Tournament each year.

Pictured is our chemotherapy nurse, Vicky McAdams. Vicky's husband is an avid fisherman so we thought it would be appropriate for her to accept these gifts from Chris!

Can Survive Ovarian Cycle Team

Raised over $1500 for our team and the whole event raised $32,000 for research for ovarian cancer. Way to go!

Left to right - Patricia Naish, Debbie Thompson, Dianne Baer

Can Survive Flower Arrangement

Thanks to Kristen Craig, who arranged this beautiful bouquet for us!

Look at the beautiful arrangement Kristen Craig did for our CanSurvive meeting! The hydrangea is potted, so it can be transplanted in the yard when the roses fade. Kristen says to let her know if any of our patients need an arrangement during the month, too.
-- Cheryl

Can Survive Meeting Notes

The notes for the April 18th meeting have been posted and placed in the archives. Click here to view them.

Events for 2008

Next meeting: Friday, May 16, in the bigger room at the American Cancer Society, noon - 2:30 or so. Jennifer Smiley's husband is a chef and he is preparing our meal. We'll also be painting pottery. Be sure to carve out that time for yourself.

Our meetings are held at noon on the 3rd Friday of every month at the American Cancer Society, 1104 Ireland Way. Lunch is provided.

Year in Review-2007

CanSurvive held monthly meetings the 3rd Friday of each month at the American Cancer Society, who is our gracious host.

We not only supported other members, but also reached out to other patients who needed to speak with someone who had "been there". Our group was also able to help with special or daily needs for some patients.

Special Events - Be sure to check out the photos!

UAB Displays Quilt that Draped Casket

Ovarian cancer victim’s family presents gift to doctor, nurse

The quilt that draped the casket of Sally Sutton will be displayed permanently at The University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham.

The quilt will hang on a wall on the fourth floor of the gynecologic oncology clinic at UAB Highlands, a spokesman said.

Sutton’s widower, Mickey, and one of their sons, Michael, both of Decatur, gave the quilt to UAB’s Dr. Michael Straughn and an assistant, registered nurse Donna Bryan. They treated Sally Sutton during her struggle with ovarian cancer.

The Suttons made the presentation last week at the Decatur General Oncology Center.

Straughn said seven physicians in his group started coming to the center each Friday six months ago on a rotating basis to see patients.

“It’s been a great relationship and such a benefit for patients in this area,” said registered nurse Terry Jones, director of the center. “It enables a woman to get her initial visit here and be followed by local physicians as well as UAB physicians. We don’t offer gynecological and oncology surgery here in Decatur.”

Jones said that after chemotherapy procedures at UAB, doctors at the Oncology Center can give radiation therapy if needed.

“Usually, they are weak and in pain and don’t feel like traveling,” she said.

Gina Decker of Quilter’s Refuge was at the presentation and recalled the quilt’s origin. She said Sally Sutton had asked other quilters to make blocks to send to a fabric company called Blank Textiles in New York.

“They were taking the blocks and making a quilt for auction, the proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation,” Decker said. “Sally never had a quilt of her own, and I wanted her to have something to inspire her. That’s where I got the idea.”

Decker asked others in her class and members of The Night Guild if they’d like to make Sutton a quilt by making blocks and signing them. They would give her the quilt when she was well enough to return to class.

“A few others wanted to participate even though they didn’t know Sally,” Decker said. “They had relatives who had the disease.”

Even a 10-year-old boy, Graham Johnson, whose mother was in the class, participated.

“When his mother was making her block, he asked to make one. He did and signed it,” Decker said.

The volunteers used a teal color scheme, teal being the color of ovarian cancer awareness. Decker’s husband, Lynn, machine quilted the blocks.

But Sutton had become too weak to return to class. Decker took the quilt to her after Thanksgiving.

“I didn’t want to wait any longer,” Decker said. “She was quite moved and surprised. She had it with her every day.”

Sutton, who was a member of the Piece Makers Quilting Group, Happy Heart Quilt Guild and the Quilt Lovers, died Dec. 20 at home. Her funeral was two days later. She was 63.

Her family asked that the quilt be placed on her casket during services at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.

“It wasn’t just a quilt,” said Funeral Director Tim Bailey of Ridout’s Brown-Service. “It was a personal statement of all the people that helped create it. It showed the love and concern that went out to her during her illness and her death.”

Bailey said the family’s gesture was unique, placing the quilt where there’s normally a floral blanket.

“We placed a silver urn of roses directly behind the casket,” he said.

An Ovarian Cancer Patient's Prayer

We’re a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a wife.
We’re your children, O God, for You gave us this life.
Women with cancer, we live with its fear!
Grant us peace with the killer, and draw us so near.

Great Physician, an awareness we need.
Open ears to the symptoms, we mercifully plead.
Grant us favor with those in the highest of places;
Sustain our efforts, and bestow mighty graces.

Channel our suffering, pain, and frustration
To turn up the volume throughout our great nation.
Lives are at risk; there’s no time to wait.
Passions are powerful; concerns are great.

Together we join in an advocacy chorus…
No one comes against us; everyone’s for us!
Each day is precious; each joy is anew.
With faith, hope, and love, the hurdles are few.

We know that these trials are only a test.
Guide us, O Lord; may we give You our best.
With thanks we acknowledge Your good, perfect plan.
Enable us, Father, we need Your strong Hand.

We are now but a whisper, so frail and so weak.
Empower us, God, as louder we seek.
Open our eyes that Your path we may see.
Bless Thou great work; begin it with me.

WRITTEN AUGUST, 2005, OCNA CONFERENCE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, BY SARAH MOSELEY

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