‘Celebrate each other’: Dozens of women gather at annual cancer survivor celebration
By Maddie Augustine
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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KETV) — The Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center held its annual Women Helping Women celebration in Council Bluffs, where dozens of women gathered to celebrate cancer survivorship and share their experiences.
The night consisted of a homemade dinner, a special guest speaker, performances by American Midwest Ballet and time spent supporting one another.
“It just is for a group of women that you might want to talk about something you’re going through. And there’s many people here that have been through it as well,” volunteer and cancer survivor, Deb Kennebeck said.
Wings of Hope program specialist, Carolyn Ettinger, is a 31-year breast cancer survivor.
Kennebeck is a 15-year cancer survivor.
Other women in attendance are still fighting, but every one of their stories is unique.
“I had a lump. And so I went to the doctor, and they didn’t. Didn’t show up on the mammogram, didn’t show up on the ultrasound, and yet we could feel it. And so they went ahead and did a biopsy, and it was cancer,” Ettinger said.
“Twenty-eight years ago, I found a lump with a mammogram. And then now, just this spring, I found another lump. And so it’s very dear to my heart,” Jo Kerber said.
The event provided a platform for women to connect and support each other.
“It’s very touching to know that all these women are just like me, and it’s very comforting,” Kerber said.
Ettinger said that support is crucial in the midst of a cancer battle and even years later.
“There were a lot of supportive people, and that’s kind of what helps you get through it,” Ettinger said.
The celebration featured a sea of pink, along with notes of blue, green, and orange, representing all types of cancer.
“It is so neat to see everybody just joined together and to celebrate each other as well as what they’re celebrating personally,” Ettinger said. “It’s really meaningful to have other women who understand what you’re going through or what you’ve been through.”
Whether it’s annual mammograms or taking action when something feels just a bit off, the women’s advice to others is to not waste time.
“You can’t deal with what you don’t know. Find out. There are so many support groups out there,” Kennebeck said.
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