150 Cancer Survivors Celebrate at Ohio Community Event

When nurse manager Suzanne Temple stood before 150 cancer survivors on Wednesday, she delivered a simple message that resonated through Fairhaven Hall: keep making plans.

OhioHealth partnered with Shelby Oncology to host the second annual cancer survivor celebration at the Richland County Fairgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio. The afternoon gathering brought together survivors from across north central Ohio to share stories, connect with others on similar journeys, and celebrate a crucial advantage: proximity to quality cancer care.

Thanks to OhioHealth's oncology and hematology locations in Mansfield and Shelby, residents no longer need to travel an hour or more to Columbus for treatment. That accessibility makes all the difference when you're fighting for your life.

Jim and Tammy Canfield know this firsthand. When Jim received his brain cancer diagnosis 15 years ago, everything changed for the couple.

Tammy had spent 30 years planning to work in intensive care. Instead, she switched to oncology nursing to better support her husband through his treatment.

The transition challenged them both. Jim adjusted to constant doctor visits, physical changes, and a demanding care schedule. Tammy learned an entirely new medical practice while watching her husband become her patient.

But the experience made Tammy a better nurse practitioner. "I get to support Jim and have been through this journey, which honestly makes me a better practitioner to care for my patients," she said. "I know what they're really going through."

For Jim, having his wife by his side meant everything. "We've had some ups and downs, but I'm still surviving," he said. "It's been a battle, it really has, but I'm a survivor."

Why This Inspires

The Canfields' story represents what Wednesday's event celebrated: survival isn't just about beating cancer, it's about building a life worth living afterward. When treatment happens close to home, survivors maintain connections to their communities, families stay together, and hope becomes easier to hold onto.

Temple's opening message captured the event's heart perfectly. Plans remind us there's still life left to give, whether that's a career change, supporting a spouse, or simply showing up to celebrate with 149 other people who understand the fight.

OhioHealth project manager Elisa Bryant explained that survivorship begins the day of diagnosis and continues through every milestone. These annual gatherings honor that journey, bringing together strangers who share an unbreakable bond.

Jim Canfield put it simply when talking about local care: "I don't like to travel all the way down to Columbus or up to Cleveland." When you're fighting cancer, home matters.