Valisia's 525,600 Minutes - Survivors Day, Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ

Yesterday, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey's (CINJ)  held their Annual Survivors Day Celebration. I have been on the planning committee along with 3 other survivors for the past few years. In the past to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day, we have had authors, breast cancer survivors, wellness days, days reminiscent of being on a cruise ship and tours of CINJ. This year was very special for me.

Back in December,  I learned from a friend's tweet that Broadway star Valisia LeKae had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Valisia was playing Diana Ross in MOTOWN- the Musical and she had to leave the show because of her diagnosis. I tweeted to Valisia that her Teal Sisters were there for her and we began exchanged tweets during her treatments.  So when the time came to suggest speakers for this year's event I immediately thought of Valisia. The committee voted to ask her and I direct messaged her to see if she was interested. When she said yes, I was thrilled.

Yesterday, I got to meet Valisia in person. And what an honor it was for me to introduce her to the more than 200 survivors, caregivers, doctors, nurses, researchers and social workers in attendance.

Introducing Valisia at Survivors Day

Valisia began her talk by asking us if we knew the song 525,600 Minutes from the Broadway show Rent. She was going to tell us what her last 525,600 minutes have been like.

Valisia LeKae

In June 2013, she was walking the red carpet nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Diana Ross. In the fall, she visited her doctor who saw that a cyst on her ovary was getting larger and told her that it should be removed. On December 2nd she learned she had ovarian cancer. Another surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy meant she had to leave MOTOWN the Musical.

During her recovery and treatment,  Valisia told us of the wonderful support she had from so many people. Support from her fellow cast members of MOTOWN  who wrote the original song for her "I am Here (For Valisia)" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_vkmFaNnuo#t=373 ). (Be sure to have a tissue ready when you watch it. ) Then she spoke of the support and love of her partner- now fiance and how her faith in God helped on her journey with cancer.

Valisia also shared with us her need to spread awareness about the disease. Currently, she is the national spokesperson for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and has completed a PSA for Mount Sinai Hospital where she was treated.

During her talk and the question and answer period that followed many of her responses brought tears to her eyes and mine. She was kind enough to share how humming and singing was helpful during treatment and she even sang a song for us. My how this disease can impact our lives and at the same time show us places and experiences we never thought we would have. It certainly was a wonderful day. Thank you Valisia for sharing your story with us.

Yesterday, her 2 month anniversary of finishing chemotherapy, she came full circle- 525,600 minutes later.  It was the night she would appear on the red carpet as a host of the Tony Awards Red Carpet Special on playbill.com.

Valisia and I

My friend Valisia,
I wish you many years of clear scans and many years of lighting up Broadway.  May God bless you.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

A Weekend of Butterflies and Lipstick

This past weekend was great one for survivors in NJ.  The weather was great and the feeling of connectedness to other cancer survivors was strong.

Saturday:
 I attended the Wings of Hope event in honor of National Cancer Survivors Day at the Cancer Support Community-  Central New Jersey in Bedminster. I have participated in CSC-CNJ programs since 2006. The day began with a Walk for Hope.  Origami butterflies purchased to honor or in memory of a loved one diagnosed with cancer were displayed on sheer curtains There were tables of crafts for children, a drumming circle, a basket auction and lots of water and Rita's ice. The sun was bright and the temperatures were in the 80's.

I was thrilled that my two good friends and ovarian cancer survivors Carole Fagella and Lynn Franklin received this year's Spirit of Courage Award for their work as advocates raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Congratulations Carole and Lynn!

Spirit of Courage awardees

Sunday:
The Cancer Institute of NJ's National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration took place at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick on Sunday morning.

I was so excited to see so many survivors in the ballroom. And was thrilled that so many oncology nurses and social workers came to celebrate with us.  The event began with a delicious buffet meal and a welcome by the Director of Oncology Nursing Services Janet Gordis-Perez. She introduced the keynote speaker Geralyn Lucas. ( Check out Geralyn's video about getting a mammogram .)

Geralyn Lucas

Geralyn is a seventeen year breast cancer survivor and author of the book Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy. She told us how she found her "inner cleavage" and described the interaction she had with her cab driver on the way to her mastectomy. She made us laugh and she made us tear up when she invited other breast cancer survivors up to the stage to put on lipstick and share how they celebrate life.

I think this was my forth or fifth time at the CINJ Survivors Day celebration. And the first one where i felt a bit sad at the end.  Last year the ladies from my support group and their caregivers filled a table.This year it was Nick and I and one other ovarian cancer survivor.  I sure do miss Pam, Rita Kay and Ann.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!