WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Cancer Survivors Celebrate Life
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Lebanon, New Hampshire - May 29, 2009
"Just living is not that hard, but surviving is really hard," Tonya Dreher says.
Dreher is a survivor. She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer about a year ago and has been in treatment ever since.
"I've had surgery and I've had 31 weeks of chemotherapy," she says.
Dreher and other cancer survivors are gathering Sunday at an art gallery in Lebanon. The event is sponsored by the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
"Our definition of survivorship is from the day that you are diagnosed," says Lisa Harbus, of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. "It is an opportunity for people to network with each other, to talk to another cancer survivors, to be in a very beautiful environment and have a relaxing celebratory time."
"It is important to have something to celebrate whether your are at the end, or in the middle," Dreher says. "I think also for my family, I have three young people and it is good for them to see people who are dealing with the same thing."
Dreher says that unless you have had cancer you do not really know what the experience is like. She says that includes family-- and on this day-- friends who offer support during chemo. However anyone who has been touched by cancer is encouraged to attend the event.
"There are some really hard things about it, and some really uncertain things about it. Like your future, and it feels empowering to talk with other people who know what you are talking about," Dreher says.
"The idea of having others who have gone through the same experience so that you don't feel so alone," Harbus says.
A celebration designed to bring people together who are share a common bond.
The cancer survivors' event is being held Sunday at 1 p.m. at the AVA Gallery on Bank Street in downtown Lebanon.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
