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In 1997, Janet Bowman was diagnosed with non-small cell lung
cancer. She was given a 1% survival rate and told she had
six months to one year to live. When Janet heard this, she
went home and cried. Then she realized she had a choice. She
could sit and wait for the cancer cells to destroy her body
or she could fight. Janet chose to fight a courageous battle
against this terrible disease.
During this time, Janet had tremendous support from her husband,
friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even strangers. During
her weekly chemotherapy sessions, she quickly realized that
many others were battling cancer without the support she had.
Did Janet’s life change during these six years? You
bet it did. Janet was determined to beat the 1% odd she was
given. She was even more determined to help others.
In 1998, a close friend for over 25 years, Judy Snyder, was
diagnosed with breast cancer. On the last day of her chemotherapy,
Judy felt there should have been some kind of a celebration
for what she had just been through.
Based on their feelings and experiences, Janet and Judy began
to think of ways they could help other cancer patients in
Centre County.
In 2000, Let’s Talk
was created to provide monthly encouragement meetings for
survivors with all types of cancer.
Celebration of Hope
was developed to celebrate the accomplishments of all people
living with cancer and have completed either chemotherapy
or radiation treatments.
As time past, it became clear to Janet and Judy that other
programs needed to be developed.
A variety of programs are available to all Centre County residents
who are battling cancer:
I
Am Afraid: I May Have Cancer,
Now
What Do I Do,
Navigating
the Maze,
Let’s
Talk,
Celebration
of Hope,
Rays
of Sunshine,
It’s
Party Time,
I Want
to Learn,
I’m
Too Young to Have Cancer, and
Celebrating
the Friends of a Terminal Cancer Patient.
The Cancer Survivors’ Association believes family, friends,
and neighbors are also affected when a person is diagnosed
with cancer. All of our programs are designed to include the
survivors’ extended family.
After six years of receiving weekly or monthly chemotherapy
treatments, having a single cancer cell removed from her brain,
undergoing radiation treatments, and participating in two
experimental trials, Janet passed away on December 17, 2003
Because of Janet and Judy’s continued efforts toward
their vision of having a community join together to build
social and emotional support for everyone in Centre County
as they battle this terrible disease, the Cancer Survivors’
Association is a vital part of your community. Please review
our programs and contact
us if we can help.
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