Paducah Cancer Center Celebrates Survivors' Strength

When Dianna Abell was diagnosed with breast cancer and lymphoma at the same time, she had no family history to prepare her. But at 81 years old, she fought both cancers and won.

Last Thursday, she stood before a room full of survivors at Mercy Health's annual Cancer Survivors' Celebration in Paducah, Kentucky, sharing her story with one clear message for those still fighting. "We just want them to know that they will be survivors," Abell told the crowd gathered at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

The celebration brought together dozens of cancer survivors, caregivers, and the Mercy Health oncology team for dinner, fellowship, and a coin ceremony recognizing each survivor's journey. John Montville, executive director of oncology at Mercy Health, said the evening honors "the courage and resilience shown by our patients and their families every day."

Abell's diagnosis came as a complete shock. "I'm 81 years old. I never had cancer, and no one in my family has," she said. Before she could even process the breast cancer diagnosis, doctors discovered lymphoma. She faced two different cancers simultaneously.

She expected to travel hours away to Nashville for treatment. Instead, she found everything she needed just 30 minutes from home at the Paducah Cancer Center. "To my surprise, we have the most wonderful cancer treatment center for people from all around who can come here and be treated and end up being a survivor," Abell said.

Sunny's Take

What made the evening truly special was the room itself. Abell described it as "heartwarming" to be surrounded by fellow survivors who understood the journey. Dr. William Skinner, one of the speakers, reminded attendees how much cancer treatment has improved during his years as an oncologist and emphasized that hope always exists for people battling the disease.

Now in remission, Abell credits the compassionate care she received close to home. The accessibility mattered more than she initially realized, sparing her the challenges of long-distance travel during treatment. "It was scary" at first, she admitted, especially with no family history to guide her expectations.

Her advice to current patients reflects hard-won wisdom: continue treatments as prescribed, stay positive about what treatment can accomplish, and trust that doctors and nurses are working tirelessly to ensure the best outcomes. The message resonates because Abell lived it, beating two cancers when many would have felt overwhelmed by just one.

Every survivor in that room proved that cancer doesn't have to be the end of the story.