Cancer survivors share their journeys at Northwest Community Hospital celebration
About 150 cancer survivors and 50 volunteers gathered Sunday at Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights for the Around the World Cancer Survivor Celebration, bringing together patients, caregivers and medical professionals.
“You're a survivor the moment you're diagnosed,” said Kim Jensen, the hospital's oncology social worker and the event’s coordinator. “This is a great way just to have people come and have a good time.”
The celebration featured 17 raffle baskets filled with items from around the world, with proceeds benefiting the hospital’s Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. Festivities included games, refreshments and a costume contest encouraging attendees to dress as their favorite country.
Hospital President Dave Rahija highlighted the facility’s resources in cancer care, including a new linear accelerator in the radiation oncology department.
Other speakers included Kathy Vehlow, a retired oncology nurse who worked for four decades at the hospital and waged her own battle with the disease, and Gail Schauer, a retired nurse who now volunteers by fitting wigs for cancer patients.
Jill Swanson, founder of Lemons of Love in Mount Prospect and an Arlington Heights native, described how her 2014 colon cancer diagnosis inspired her to create care packages for fellow patients. Her organization has since given more than 37,000 packages across all 50 states and operates a Mount Prospect center offering free programs for anyone impacted by cancer.
Agnieszka Skop, a primary care physician, said she was there to support survivors in memory of the mother she lost to breast cancer.
“I think it’s all about getting together and getting the good energy and joy and expressing it each in our own way,” she said.