Texas Cancer Centers Honor Survivors on National Day

When Hector Torres was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2022, doctors gave him just a 15 to 20 percent chance of survival. Today, he stood before a crowd in Killeen, Texas, sharing a simple message: "There's always hope."

Torres joined dozens of cancer survivors and their families Monday morning as AdventHealth Central Texas and Baylor Scott & White celebrated National Cancer Survivor Day. The partnership brings high-quality cancer treatment to Central Texas, allowing patients to receive care close to home instead of traveling to larger cities.

Dr. Ayesha Sheikh, medical director of the Killeen Cancer Center, reminded attendees that cancer treatment is about more than scans and chemotherapy. She highlighted the husbands who never miss appointments, the daughters who take careful notes, and the friends who drive patients to treatment every week.

Torres knows this support firsthand. After his surgery in January 2023 and months of chemotherapy, he briefly celebrated being cancer-free. But two months after finishing treatment, doctors found lesions on his liver, meaning six more months of chemotherapy and difficult conversations about insurance and end-of-life planning.

Now 58, Torres credits his medical team, his family, and his faith for getting him through what he calls "a very bad year." He was one of many survivors who put on boxing gloves at a photo booth after the ceremony, symbolizing the fighting spirit that carries patients through treatment.

The Ripple Effect

The celebration extended beyond the cancer center walls. Local nonprofit Pink Warrior Angels distributed information about their chemo care kits and financial grants for cancer patients struggling with bills and essential expenses.

Board member Cassie Joffrion explained that the organization reviews applications monthly and provides assistance regardless of income level. They also visit treatment centers regularly to support patients during their most difficult days.

Mayor Dan Yancey signed a proclamation declaring June 1, 2025, as Cancer Survivor Day in Copperas Cove. AdventHealth CEO Jennifer Swenson reinforced her organization's commitment to improving survivorship through compassionate care and increasing access to early detection procedures like colonoscopies and mammograms.

The collaboration between AdventHealth and Baylor Scott & White means cancer patients in Central Texas can receive cutting-edge treatment without leaving their community and support systems behind.