Spring Break
An evening full of survivors
Lakeisha Goodman
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Features
It was an "Evening of Survivorship" on Monday as different organizations took part in the "Peace.Love.Pirates.Cure" cancer awareness campaign in Hendrix Theater.
Students gathered to hear experiences of people who have survived cancer.
Survivors banded together to share their stories about battling cancer, along with information about themselves.
Speaker Chris Carlson never thought it was important for men to routinely maintain physicals with doctors, especially when it came to being examined in sensitive areas.
This all changed for Carlson when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. While his story has a happy ending, Carlson stressed to the audience the importance of regular checkups.
Mary Margaret Manlove and Susan Neuhoff have similar stories about their fight with breast cancer. While Manlove has been in remission for years, Neuhoff is still fighting it everyday.
"I am in the process of surviving breast cancer," said Neuhoff.
ECU students Brooke Barton, Madalyn Miller, Taylor Bell and Timmy Baker offered their experience with surviving cancer. Although individual experiences differed, all emphasized that their cancer diagnosis did not define the person they were. Cancer was an obstacle that they had to face and since overcoming it, they lead normal lives.
Michael Dreisbach also shared his story of his battle with lung cancer.
Speaking through a mechanical larynx, Dreisbach warned students of the bad decisions that led to him developing lung cancer.
Dreisbach started smoking at 15.
Along with his smoking habit, Dreisbach was a firefighter who rarely wore a mask on rescue calls.
"Every choice a person makes has a negative or a positive consequence," Dreisbach said, encouraging all students not to smoke and to quit if they already do.
Through each of their different stories, the survivors mentioned the need for a positive attitude and the support of family and friends. Many mentioned how delighted they were to receive greeting cards and to have head shaving and hospital parties that helped make the road to recovery easier.
The panel also highlighted the importance of regular self-exams and stressed the importance of reporting abnormalities as soon as possible.
For audience members that attended the event, the impact of battling cancer was eye-opening.
Laura Ruffin, a sophomore social work major, gained insight from the panel.
"No matter how old or healthy [you are], you can still get cancer," she said.
For Morgan Logan, a freshman pre-health major, the stories of the survivors can be applied to any everyday situation.
"A positive attitude will get you anywhere," said Logan.
For more information about cancer awareness, stop by the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center located in the Student Recreation Center or stop by Student Health Services.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
Students gathered to hear experiences of people who have survived cancer.
Survivors banded together to share their stories about battling cancer, along with information about themselves.
Speaker Chris Carlson never thought it was important for men to routinely maintain physicals with doctors, especially when it came to being examined in sensitive areas.
This all changed for Carlson when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. While his story has a happy ending, Carlson stressed to the audience the importance of regular checkups.
Mary Margaret Manlove and Susan Neuhoff have similar stories about their fight with breast cancer. While Manlove has been in remission for years, Neuhoff is still fighting it everyday.
"I am in the process of surviving breast cancer," said Neuhoff.
ECU students Brooke Barton, Madalyn Miller, Taylor Bell and Timmy Baker offered their experience with surviving cancer. Although individual experiences differed, all emphasized that their cancer diagnosis did not define the person they were. Cancer was an obstacle that they had to face and since overcoming it, they lead normal lives.
Michael Dreisbach also shared his story of his battle with lung cancer.
Speaking through a mechanical larynx, Dreisbach warned students of the bad decisions that led to him developing lung cancer.
Dreisbach started smoking at 15.
Along with his smoking habit, Dreisbach was a firefighter who rarely wore a mask on rescue calls.
"Every choice a person makes has a negative or a positive consequence," Dreisbach said, encouraging all students not to smoke and to quit if they already do.
Through each of their different stories, the survivors mentioned the need for a positive attitude and the support of family and friends. Many mentioned how delighted they were to receive greeting cards and to have head shaving and hospital parties that helped make the road to recovery easier.
The panel also highlighted the importance of regular self-exams and stressed the importance of reporting abnormalities as soon as possible.
For audience members that attended the event, the impact of battling cancer was eye-opening.
Laura Ruffin, a sophomore social work major, gained insight from the panel.
"No matter how old or healthy [you are], you can still get cancer," she said.
For Morgan Logan, a freshman pre-health major, the stories of the survivors can be applied to any everyday situation.
"A positive attitude will get you anywhere," said Logan.
For more information about cancer awareness, stop by the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center located in the Student Recreation Center or stop by Student Health Services.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
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