Texas Hospital Honors 18 Million Cancer Survivors Nationwide

When Belinda Burke heard the word "cancer" for the second time in 2012, she knew she couldn't face it alone. Today, she's living proof that the right support system can help you not just survive, but thrive.

Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas recently honored National Cancer Survivors' Day with a celebration that brought together survivors, their loved ones, and medical staff at the Glenda Tanner Vasicek Cancer Center. The gathering highlighted an encouraging reality: more than 18 million cancer survivors now live in the United States.

Burke, a Killeen resident who battled breast cancer in 2007 and again in 2012, spoke at the celebration about her journey. She credits her oncologist Dr. Sherronda Henderson, along with her family, church community, and friends, for helping her through chemotherapy and beyond.

"It takes a village and that's truly what I've had," Burke said. She didn't just survive. In 2025, she published her book "Outside Looking In: A Story of Faith Beyond the Storm."

Carl Pruitt, diagnosed in 2024 with a rare kidney cancer, said the event reminded him of an essential truth. When you look around, you realize you have support from oncologists, caregivers, nurses, family, and friends everywhere.

Delia Hererra, a chaplain at Baylor Scott and White, brings a unique perspective to her work. As a survivor of both breast and skin cancer, she helps newly diagnosed patients navigate the fear that comes with hearing those words and teaches them how to communicate effectively with their medical team.

Why This Inspires

Dr. Henderson, Director of Hematology/Oncology at the hospital, shared news that should give everyone hope. Medical technology is evolving rapidly, with advances that detect cancer earlier and allow doctors to personalize treatment for each patient.

"Having a diagnosis of cancer does not necessarily mean a death sentence," Dr. Henderson explained. Precision medicine now helps doctors tailor treatments to individual patients, dramatically improving outcomes.

The celebration proved what Burke, Pruitt, and Hererra already knew: nobody fights cancer alone. When medical expertise meets community support, healing becomes possible in ways that go beyond just treating disease.