For cancer patients like Sylvia Martin, who have suffered from and beat that disease, the annual Forrest General Hospital Cancer Survivors’ Picnic offers a chance to converse with other survivors while relaxing and taking part in the activities that retreat offers.
Martin and several other survivors recently attended that latest event, which was held May 10 in the Becky and Bill Oliver Healing Garden at the Forrest General Cancer Center, located at 301 South 28th Avenue in Hattiesburg.
“I’ll be a 25-year survivor in July, and I’ve been to several of (the picnics) before, before COVID,” said Martin, a resident of Foxworth. “I get to see friends that I’ve associated with here in Hattiesburg.
“I know several of them from the cancer center, and my mother had ovarian cancer, and she had to have treatment here. I know a lot of people here.”
This year’s picnic included live music by Scott Chism & The Better Half, along with an art contest and various information booths. Attendees also had the opportunity to paint memory rocks – which were then placed in the garden – have their pictures taken at a photo booth, play cornhole, spend time with Forrest General therapy dog Major Payne and view art submitted in the recent Colors of Courage art contest.
“This is the 25th anniversary (of the center), so we wanted to honor our survivors and those who have passed on, as well as their family members,” said Millie Swan, vice president of Forrest Health. “It takes all of them to go through the journey of cancer.
“I think they really have enjoyed it, and it gives us an opportunity to recognize and let them come together, to share information about their story with someone who may still be undergoing treatment. Every person is in a different part of their journey and every person is different, so I think it’s a great way for them to come relax and enjoy the day.”
Winners of the art contest are as follows:
- Youth Winner: “Recognizing Courage” by Elliot Walsh, a floral piece tied with cancer ribbons;
- Adult Winner: “And I’ll Rise Up” by Jessica Byrd, in which a mountain climber represents the journey a person goes through after a cancer diagnosis; and
- Coloring Outside the Lines Winner: “Immeasurable Love” by Jane Jeffries and Patsy Bevon, a mixed-media piece featuring a hand-formed cross with genuine crystals.
Dr. Sophy Mangana, who serves in radiation oncology at the center, helped put on the art contest.
“We did this to honor our survivors that are coming to this picnic, and to raise awareness about the cancer center for the community,” Mangana said. “There was a theme to use the cancer ribbons, and also to encourage the hope and courage in the struggle that cancer patients and the survivors go through.”
In addition, a cancer survivors’ support group, of which Martin is a member, is held at 1 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at Chapel of the Cross United Methodist Church at 1639 U.S. 98 East in Columbia. For more information on that measure, call (601) 731-1969.
“We would love to get more members,” Martin said.
