With the 2013 Relay for Life just around the corner, the annual Survivors' Tea was held Thursday at the Estevan Shoppers Mall.
Designed to recognize those who have won their battle against cancer or are currently in the midst of a fight, the tea featured a speech from Mary Antonenko, the honourary chairwoman for this year's relay.
Antonenko was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer which has a very low survival rate. However, she pulled through and has become a voice of support for those who are waging their own fight.
At the tea she spoke about the importance of the money raised at the relay.
"From my very first appointment at the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic, I started learning about the services provided by the (Canadian) Cancer Society. Most people looking in from the outside do not realize the services that are made available to patients, survivors, caregivers and families that are in a large part funded by money raised at the relay."
Speaking of her own experiences, Antonenko said a social worker was made available to her following her diagnosis. There was also financial assistance provided for travelling and accommodations.
"The Living Well With Cancer conference is another service that was made available to survivors, caregivers and patients. I know how big of an impact it had on me so if it impacted the hundreds of other people that attended just in one small way, that is huge.
"I personally found self-confidence I didn't know I had."
Antonenko said as the honourary chairwomen of the relay, her goal is to make others aware of her journey and say that if she did it, so can they. She added that those fighting cancer must make a choice to stay positive and not let the disease get them down.
Debra Polischuk, the director of support services for the Saskatchewan division of the Canadian Cancer Society, spoke at Thursday's tea and also touched on the services offered by the CCS.
She noted a critical component of their service is having someone available to answer the many questions one might have after they are diagnosed.
"Sometimes people don't know where to start when they phone the toll free number," she said. "That's OK because our information specialists know what questions to ask."
Polischuk said the CCS also has a peer support service, which connects newly diagnosed cancer patients with someone who has survived their battle with cancer.
"It is very helpful and comforting to be able to speak to someone who has been through a similar cancer experience," she said. "The majority of matches are based on having the same type of cancer, the same type of treatment, age, gender and even similar family situations such as having young children at home."
Polischuk added that over 93 cents of every dollar raised at events such as the relay for life stay in Saskatchewan and go directly towards CCS programs in the province.
The 2013 Estevan Relay for Life is scheduled for June 8 and chairman Patrick Fisher said many of the details are being finalized. They currently have eight teams registered and expect to have 15 in total which would be an increase over 2012. Their fundraising goal for this year is $110,000.
The Civic Auditorium will serve as the host venue for a third straight year but Fisher said they have decided to add an outdoor track behind the arena for those who wish to move outside.
"We knew there were a couple of people who have avoided the last couple of years, because they like being outside," he said. "It's kind of the best of both worlds."
Fisher said a number of the events leading up to the relay have been well attended. He added the annual Mini Relay is scheduled for Friday at Sacred Heart School in Estevan.
