Cancer survivors, caregivers gather for dinner

The Copperas Cove Relay for Life leader team held its annual Survivor Dinner on Sunday evening at Grace United Methodist Church. The annual event is meant to be a time to recognize those who’ve battled cancer and won. It also served as a time to thank caregivers for the important role they play in a survivor’s recovery.

 

Approximately 25 survivors and caregivers attended in addition to the Relay for Life lead team members.

 

Dinner was donated by Bella Sera Italian Restaurant and those who attended the dinner were waited on by members of the GUMC youth group. Bits ‘n Bites Cake Shop donated a purple tiered cake, decorated with the different colors of cancer ribbons.

 

Survivor dinner chair Clarence Enochs was the emcee for the evening, which in addition to the dinner featured Michael De- Hart, guest speaker, along with live music and poetry.

 

DeHart, a cancer survivor of nine years, has given 150-160 talks about his journey since 2012 all over Texas and in Louisiana as well, he said. His message, sprinkled with humor, contained encouragement for both survivors and caregivers, along with the reason for why the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life exists.

 

“I was able to dial an 800-number in the middle of the night and someone was there to talk to me. They’re always there,” DeHart Said. “The money you help raise will help someone in Copperas Cove get a wig, some makeup, or get someone a ride to a chemo treatment.” DeHart said the money also goes to laboratories which are still searching for a cure for cancer.

 

DeHart shared his own fight against cancer. During his treatments, he would see a woman named Edith. They bonded during their time, each looking to see the other every time they went for their treatments.

 

“I would go, to see how she was doing.” After their treatments ended, they eventually lost touch. More than a year later, DeHart visited her place of work, hoping to see her. When she saw him, she introduced him to her coworkers as “the one who saved my life.” But DeHart said he had always thought of her as the one who saved his life.

 

After his speech, DeHart was presented with a pen handcrafted by a military veteran who is also a cancer survivor, along with a special piece of Texas limestone.

 

Local singer, songwriter and acoustic guitar player Fretea Sylver played and sang some of her original songs like “For Your Glory” and “I’ll Get Better”. Sylver also spoke of her own mother’s battle with cancer and the inspiration behind some of her songs. 

 

Local poet Forressa Harrison performed her original dramatic poem “Womanhood,” commemorating her mother’s battle with cancer: “My mother did for cancer what stars do at night: She shined to it.”

 

Cancer survivor Diana Ochoa is a survivor of six years, and believes events like the survivor dinner are important.

 

“We need to stick together,” Ochoa said. “We’re here to support each other.”

 

The event culminated with the cancer survivors holding a candle lighting ceremony, in which they passed a light along and shared about their stories, however much they felt comfortable sharing, Enochs said to the group. He also spoke of his late mother’s battle with cancer and how she still impacts his life to this day.

 

At Sunday night’s dinner, John Oster, who serves as accountant for this year’s relay leadership team, said the current tally for the Copperas Cove Relay For Life is $22,817.74, with this year’s goal for the relay being $35,000. Teams are continuing to raise funds for the event.

 

The Copperas Cove Relay For Life begins Saturday, April 30 at 3 p.m. at S.C. Lee Junior High’s Hanke Stadium, and is open to the public.