JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The 9th Annual Cancer Survivors Day celebration was held Sept. 26 at San Antonio Military Medical Center to honor cancer survivors and their families.
"The event celebrates all cancer survivors and their families, and their brave fight against this insidious disease," said Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Winnifred Wong, who helped to organize the event.
"We usually hold the event to coincide with the National Cancer Survivors Day in June, though this year we had to postpone the event to September."
Don Doyle, a Vietnam veteran who served 22 years in the Army and another 22 years working for VIA Metropolitan Transit, attended the event for the first time. He was diagnosed with cancer in September 2014 and treated at SAMMC.
"I think this event is great. I'm pleasantly surprised because people are very positive. I was also surprised to see a lot of the staff here, because I know they work every day of the week and they still came in on a weekend," Doyle said.
"The whole staff and everyone at the radiation clinic are amazing. I feel very fortunate to get my treatment here," he added.
This year's theme was "Not All Super Heroes Wear Capes" to symbolize the strength and perseverance of cancer survivors. Many of the attendees came dressed in their favorite superhero costume.
"It is a fun day dedicated to positively celebrating our cancer survivors and their families, which includes live music, free food, a costume contest, drawings for prizes and a health fair," Wong said. "This year we had 11 outside agencies and 17 SAMMC departments participate in the event and over 200 patients attend."
The event brings awareness not only to survivorship, but also screening and prevention, because cancers that are caught earlier tend to have more favorable outcomes.
"Patients and their families benefit by celebrating another year of survivorship and having access to our associated health fair, which provides information on new cutting edge techniques SAMMC departments provide and also interacting with our amazing cancer care teams," the doctor said.
Cancer survivors and their families also benefit from sharing their experience with others.
Thanhphuong Halcomb has been in remission for almost six years. "It means a lot that there is an event like this for [cancer survivors]. I have attended this event for the past five years now," Halcomb said. "Last year I came with my son and I met a really nice couple and we chatted."
Army Pfc. Christopher Vandenberg's entire family came out to support him. "It shows me that they care and support me," he said. "This event highlights the accomplishments of everyone who overcame their illness."
Next year will be the 10th annual Cancer Survivors Day celebration here at SAMMC.
"June 2016 we're expecting a great turn out and celebration of life," Wong said.
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