Paducah Cancer Center Celebrates Local Survivors

When Dianna Abell was diagnosed with breast cancer at 81, she had no family history to prepare her. Before she could even process that diagnosis, doctors found lymphoma too.

Today, she stood before a room full of fellow survivors at Mercy Health's Cancer Survivors' Celebration in Paducah, Kentucky. Her message was simple and powerful: keep going.

"Those who are battling right now, we just want them to know that they will be survivors," Abell said at the June 11 event. The celebration brought together patients, caregivers, and the oncology team at St. Thomas More Catholic Church for an evening of recognition, fellowship, and dinner.

Abell is now in remission from both cancers. She credits the compassionate care she received close to home, something she never expected to find in her smaller community.

"I thought I'd be going to Nashville or somewhere like that," she said. Instead, she found world-class treatment just 30 minutes from home, making the difficult journey through treatment more manageable without the burden of long-distance travel.

John Montville, executive director of oncology at Mercy Health, said the annual event reminds everyone of the courage patients show every day. The hospital remains committed to providing high-quality cancer care right in the community.

Why This Inspires

Abell's story shows how access to excellent local healthcare transforms cancer treatment from an isolating ordeal into a community effort. She didn't have to choose between quality care and staying near loved ones.

Her gratitude extended to the entire medical team who helped her and others survive. "The doctors and nurses are working so hard to make sure that we receive the treatment that we need," she said.

The evening included a special coin ceremony recognizing each survivor's journey. Dr. William Skinner spoke about how dramatically cancer treatment has improved during his career as an oncologist, offering concrete reasons for hope.

For Abell, being in a room full of survivors felt "heartwarming." She sees her role now as encouraging others to stay positive and trust their treatment plans.

"As long as we have doctors and nurses and treatment, we know we can survive this," she said. Her advice to those still in treatment is direct: continue your treatments as prescribed, stay positive, and believe in what medical care can do.

At 81, Abell has become living proof that cancer doesn't have to mean traveling far from home or facing it alone.

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