Cancer Survivors Day: “Cancer Survivor of the Year” and “Caregiver of the Year” Awards

Baptist Cancer Services celebrated Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 6 at 2 p.m. by giving special recognition to one cancer survivor who was named “Cancer Survivor of the Year” and one caregiver who was given the Caregiver of the Year award.

We invited members of the community to nominate people for these awards. A panel of judges composed of Baptist staff and community representatives reviewed the nominations and made the selections. Each nominator and nominee was invited to Cancer Survivors Day where the awards were given.The deadline for nominations was May 20, 2010.

Qualities of a Cancer Survivor of the Year
People are cancer survivors from the moment they are diagnosed and here are some characteristics they may have:
• They learn as much as they can about their disease.
• They network with others and surround themselves with people and support systems to help them cope with their disease.
• Take personal control of their treatment.
• Manage any necessary lifestyle changes with a positive attitude.
• Continually find reasons for hope.
• Develop practical skills to deal with the diagnosis, treatment and challenges of cancer.
• Show concern for their family and friends.
• Show others their strength, spirit and humor.
• Inspire others.

The Cancer Survivor of the Year is Zetella Donalson Bender, nominated by several of her children and friends.

Her daughter Ericka said her mother is the perfect candidate for this award. Ericka told us that throughout the entire ordeal, Zetella never gave up. She refused to let it beat her, staying active, following her medical team’s directions, and most of all, staying strong in her spirit.

She is a firm believer in the Word of God, and during this time of trouble, she held steadfast.

This is not the first obstacle that has come her way. In addition to colon cancer, she suffered a heart attack in 1986, and faced many challenges within her own family life.

Ericka said God chose to allow her mother to survive through all this to become a source of encouragement to others. She is hard-working, dedicated, loving, caring, kind and strong. She loves and believes in family, and spends most of her time supporting her loved ones.

Her daughter Chandra had more to add.

She said Zetella was determined to beat cancer and not let cancer beat her. Three weeks after surgery, she was back at work and during her 16 weeks of chemotherapy she never stopped working. She would go for inpatient treatment for three hours, and then leave with a chemo cassette bag to carry around on her shoulders like a purse for three days. She would return to her work at Chastain Middle School the same day.

There were times she did not feel like getting out of the bed, but she would push herself to do what she knew to be part of her healing process.

Chandra describes her mother as “phenomenal.”

Qualities of a Caregiver of the Year
Qualities that a Caregiver of the Year might exhibit include:
• They are educated about their loved one’s cancer
• Act as an extension of the healthcare team by providing information to the patients and to the team.
• Administer medications and help control side effects and symptoms.
• Provide proper nutrition.
• Provide support and encouragement.
• Encourage independence of patients.
• Garners support for themselves.
• Take care of themselves physically and emotionally.
• Are advocates for their loved ones.
• Know when to be a “coach” and when to be a “cheerleader.”

The Caregiver of the Year is Juanita Blackburn, nominated by her friend Janice Jones.

This is what Janice said:

Juanita has made the ultimate sacrifice by moving her sick father into her home to provide him full time special attention and care. She has been the sole provider for her father. She only leaves his side to attend her part time job and attend church. She leaves work headed home to take care of her father’s needs.

When his condition worsened and he required care through the night, she never gave in. She would sit with him, rubbing his head and aching body, and prepare meals as he requested them. She would still rise in the early morning for her part time job to continue some type of income for her home.

When he had to be admitted to the hospital, nurses enjoyed visiting with her because she was always kind to them and in good spirits while attending to her father’s needs.

Juanita changes her father’s diapers, feeds him via the stomach, rubs his body when it aches, shaves him, massages his feet when they hurt, and sits at his bed side day and night to ensure he is as comfortable as possible. Juanita is recognized by her family, friends and community as one of the best caregivers ever.