Georgia Cancer Survivors Celebrate Hope at Annual Dinner

Cancer survivors, caregivers, and supporters filled St. Matthew Catholic Church in Statesboro, Georgia on March 20 for an evening that celebrated one powerful truth: healing happens in community.

The annual Relay for Life survivors' dinner brought together people who understand the cancer journey firsthand. Lori Wiggins, a Barrett's esophageal cancer survivor diagnosed in 2009, has organized the event for over 20 years to provide hope for others in Bulloch County.

The evening felt more like a family reunion than a formal dinner. Maurice Jackson, managing partner of Texas Roadhouse Statesboro and a cancer survivor himself, cooked comfort food for the crowd: chicken, potato salad, and beans. His niece Alivia Grant provided dessert through her business, Duke's Cookies.

Keynote speaker Amee Adkins shared her emotional cancer journey and gratitude for the support she received. She acknowledged the difficult reality many in the room knew too well: some battles are lost to cancer. But she also emphasized the importance of gathering together, closing her speech with words everyone agreed on: "Cancer sucks."

Pianist Felecia Prince performed an uplifting rendition of "This Little Light of Mine" that turned into a group sing-along. The moment captured what the evening was really about: lights that continue to shine, even after the darkest times.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story special isn't just the dinner itself but what it represents. For over two decades, Wiggins has created a space where survivors and caregivers can see themselves reflected in others' faces, hear their own struggles in others' stories, and remember they're not alone. That first lap at Relay for Life, which Wiggins called the most meaningful, symbolizes something profound: the decision to keep moving forward, together.

The upcoming Relay for Life event will take place April 17 in downtown Statesboro from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Wiggins invited everyone to join her for that first lap, whether as a survivor or caregiver. Community fundraisers like "Eat to End Cancer" at Eagle Creek Brewing Company on March 24 help make these gatherings possible.

The evening closed with laughter, gratitude, and renewed purpose, proving that while cancer may be devastating, the community built around fighting it shines brighter.