GREENFIELD — Some 75 cancer patients and survivors enjoyed a day of games, prizes and fellowship on Sunday at the Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center.
The center at Hancock Regional Hospital offered bingo, prize drawings, free T-shirts, and more during its Cancer Survivorship event, which for the first time was held on the weekend and open to the public. Those who attended had the opportunity to play cornhole, play in a bounce house, make ice cream sundaes and help create a quilt that will be displayed in the cancer center.
The cancer center, which opened in 2015 and serves nearly 500 patients per year, had previously held an invitation-only event for patients during the week, said Leslie Wickard, infusion supervisor.
Community members enjoyed an opportunity to acknowledge the struggle of taking on cancer treatment and the courage survivors showed throughout their treatment.
Josh Ward attended with his son, Cal Ward, 7, and helped his son learn the secrets of tossing bean bags at a cornhole board.
Both Ward’s parents had cancer and received treatment at the Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center; his mother survives, but his father died from cancer, he said.
He said it was generous of the center to offer such a free event to the community.
“They’re giving back, even though they’ve already given to the community,” he said. “Without the people at the cancer center, a lot of people probably wouldn’t be here to celebrate.”
The cancer center, named for a Morristown woman who died in 2015 after fighting breast and lung cancer, employs 18 staff members, including nurses, administrators and radiation therapists who care for patients receiving treatment for cancer or blood disorders, officials said.
Dallus Wiggington of Greenfield started coming to the cancer center 27 weeks ago to be treated for stage 4 stomach cancer. The cancer had spread to his bones and lungs, but Wiggington is in remission now, receiving maintenance chemotherapy treatments, he said.
He won two gift cards, a pleasant surprise, and he enjoyed the different food offerings to be had, from healthy vegetables to ice cream with a variety of toppings.
He felt appreciated Sunday as the event honored him and his caretakers, including his wife, Shirley, who attended as well.
He praised the center and its employees.
“I don’t know of any better place to go to,” he said.
Several oncologists at the center spoke during the survivorship event.
Dr. Julia Compton said while cancer treatment is a grueling process for many, the biggest challenge is often completing treatment and learning how to put one foot in front of the other every day.
“For all of us, seeing you here today, still going in and living your life is the best thing we could see,” she said.
