Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Presidential candidate John Edwards, got my fearless vote when she took the stage in Washington, DC last week, on behalf of the National Coalition For Cancer Survivorship (NCCS). Her message was clear: "Live until you die." And why not? And who better than a cancer survivor whose cancer has come back to say so? Clearly, Mrs. Edwards is a woman with a mission. Having been introduced to a set of adolescent sisters who reluctantly shook hands with the candidate's wife early in the evening only to be reintroduced later with their names transposed, Mrs. Edwards pointed toward each of the young ladies, without really pointing, and said "but you're Ruthie and you're Julia." Talk about charm and grace under fire.
So it was that she, together with Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Alma Powell wife of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Honorary Gala Chair anti-cancer activist and philanthropist Lilly Tartikoff and dedicated supporters from the fashion industry and cancer survivor community gathered for the annual Ray of Hope Awards Gala. Honorees were celebrated for their personal contributions in helping those who battle cancer, whether through raising money for cancer research, increasing awareness, or educating survivors.
To the many of us who have been touched by cancer (show me someone who hasn't) whether directly or indirectly, as a caregiver, friend or relative of someone who has, Mrs. Edwards stressed that we are all survivors. It is incumbent upon us as voters, in the words of Senator Harkin, a longtime advocate of cancer research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and for cancer programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to "contact our legislators and encourage them to support scientific research and improved screening." Now more than ever. He told the audience that for the first time in 30 years the national cancer budget is being reduced and "if the proposed budget for NIH passes, funding for the National Cancer Institute will fall by $40 million."
SHOCKING. But this wasn't a night to rally the troops, so to speak. Instead it was time to "honor and recognize those in the fashion world who utilize their talents to improve the quality of life for more than 10 million Americans living with cancer and the 1.5 million who will be diagnosed in the coming year," said Ellen Stovall, a 35-year cancer survivor and NCCS President and CEO.
Surprisingly enough, Mrs. Edwards wasn't on hand to receive an award. Instead, she granted one to four fearless women, Patti Balwanz, Kim Carlos, Jennifer Johnson, and Jana Peters, the authors of the recently published book Nordies at Noon. Their story is "an inspiring and honest testament to their friendship and experience" with cancer diagnosis and treatment, said Mrs. Edwards. She encouraged all women to be proactive about their own health and to advocate for quality medical care for all Americans. Accepting the award were Kim Carlos and Jennifer Johnson joined by Patti Balwanz's brother and Jana Peters' husband. Sadly, co-authors, Balwanz died in 2003 at the age of 29 and Jana Peters passed away in December 2006 when she was 35.
Kim Carlos and Jennifer Johnson told the audience that cancer is "a health issue, a family issue and a political issue." While these women are the prototypical example of making every day, indeed every moment, count in our cherished lives; they encouraged us to use our voices to increase awareness of cancer survivorship issues and programs, to fund cancer research, and to encourage Congress to increase, not decrease, necessary funding to all of the above.
Just like Mrs. Edwards, my fearless award winner, it is clear that none of these survivors live their lives either defined or consumed by cancer. No doubt, their lives have changed since their cancer diagnosis. However, they continue to "not only survive but they thrive." We should all be so lucky.