Winchester Celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day

Approximately 250 cancer survivors, physicians, staff, friends and family members gathered together last month for 10th annual celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day. 

Winchester Hospital’s celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day was established specifically for patients of the Breast Care Center, but has grown to include people living with, and in remission from, cancers treated hospital-wide.

During this year’s Broadway musical-themed celebration, Winchester Hospital physicians paid tribute to their patients. 

Before attendees gathered in a circle to sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” gynecologic oncologist Dr. Arlan F. Fuller Jr., clinical vice president for the integration of oncology services and academic affiliations at Winchester Hospital, joined his colleagues in praising former and current patients. 

“It is truly a joy to see more and more patients each year who have survived this disease,” he said. “It’s a joy for all of us to help all of you get to that place. We are delighted to celebrate with you.” 

Winchester Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care is expected to be completed this summer. The project will allow residents to stay close to home for cancer treatment. 

Dr. Chitra King, chief of Winchester Hospital’s Hematology-Oncology Department, said she is “thrilled” about relocating to the Center for Cancer Care, located at 620 Washington St. in Winchester. She added, “I’ve been attending this event for the better part of its 10 years, and it’s great to see that it gets bigger all the time. This is a wonderful affirmation of hope.” 

Breast cancer survivor Pam Noyes of Tewksbury said she views Winchester Hospital’s annual celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day as an extension of the support group she joined shortly after being diagnosed in 2004. She enjoyed this year’s event with other original members of the support group, whom she said e-mail one another constantly and get together several times a year. 

“We enjoy this event because we look forward to seeing the doctors, nurses and everyone else who took care of us,” Noyes said, noting that the caregivers still remember and ask about her two daughters. “During my treatment, if I was having an emotional or medical issue, someone from the hospital always called to check on me. It was just wonderful.” 

Billerica resident Cindy Baldwin, who is also a member of the support group dating back to 2004, said she still appreciates never having felt rushed by any member of Winchester Hospital’s medical or support teams.

“Much of the staff is the same,” she noted, “and the way they remember us years later is absolutely incredible.” 

The two-hour event included refreshments; ice cream donated by Tom Gould of Treadwell’s Ice Cream; music by Voices of Hope and disc jockey Jack Ferren; raffles and a free gift for each attendee; free chair massages from Winchester Hospital Community Health Institute massage therapists Eamon Joyce and Denise Lloyd; dance instruction by Lianne Green; and entertainment by “Little Orphan Annie” clown Lydia Brown. 

The lobby was decorated with the art exhibit “Oncology On Canvas,” sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, featuring paintings created by cancer patients to express their feelings about the disease.

Educational materials were provided by the Winchester Hospital Foundation and Winchester Hospital Community Health Institute’s A Caring Place. Voices of Hope also had a table exhibit. 

To learn more or register for a support group at Winchester Hospital, call (781) 756-4760. For more information about Winchester Hospital’s oncology centers in Woburn and Stoneham, call (781) 756-2301 or (781) 279-4064. To learn more about the Breast Care Center, call (781) 756-2308.