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Hannah Reeves — Hannah was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March 2018. What makes her different than the other co-chairs is that she is the youngest and is still in high school. Her treatment has included chemotherapy, steroid shots, and many doses of antibiotics.
She says her supporters are Natalie, Kevin, Libby and her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She also lists her many friends and fellow students at Huntingdon High School. According to Reeves, all of her support group made food, called daily, and visited regularly.
Hannah said when she was first told she had cancer she became nervous, scared, worried, and confused.
“Keep your friends and family close, and it’s ok to be scared and to complain and keep your life as normal as possible”, advises Hannah.
Ruth Eason — Ruth was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in November 2018. She has had eight rounds of chemotherapy and will also take some radiation treatments. She did not experience sickness with her treatments and was able to continue working and enjoying activities with her family. According to Ruth, her husband has been with her every step of the way. She says her daughters, siblings and their families have been her prayer partners and supporters. Her church family and her work group have provided great moral support. She says her faith in God has helped her to stay positive and the peace she has felt and continues to feel is amazing.
Ruth says when she was diagnosed with cancer, she was stunned and frightened. She says peace eventually came when she realized how many people were praying for her. She credits the Lord for her strength.
She would tell anyone who has just been diagnosed that cancer is not a death sentence, because so many advancements have been made over the years and continue to be made. The cancer survival rate increases all the time.
Cary Don Smith — Cary Don was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma in February 2002. He was referred to Vanderbilt for surgery which included removal of all lymph nodes in the upper chest. Two years later, three small nodules were detected in his left lung. Surgery was performed to remove the lower half of that lung. He was asked to participate in a melanoma study by M.D. Anderson in Texas and went to Vanderbilt for painful injections every two weeks for the next year.
He says his support group includes his wife, Judy, and daughters, Tina, Jennifer and Julie. He also named his friends, and brother, the late Fred Ward, as well as his church family at Huntingdon First Baptist Church. Smith says he was able to keep a positive attitude because of encouraging family and friends.