By Mark Ambrogi
Shannon Hamerin never minds sharing her story of surviving two bouts of beast cancer if it will help others.
The first occurred nearly 20 years ago. It came back eight years later, but she has been cancer-free since then.
Hamerin, 52, plans to again attend the Riverview Health’s annual Breast Cancer Celebration of Life event at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Purgatory Golf Club, 12160 E. 216th St., Noblesville. Anne Ryder, an award-winning television journalist and visiting lecturer at Indiana University, will deliver the keynote address. Hamerin said the survivors that speak at the event are usually the ones that are newly diagnosed.
“I enjoy going to the Celebration of Life because it does celebrate our survivorship of women who are different stages out,” said Hamerin, a Sheridan resident. “Here I am, nearly a 20-year survivor. I’ve seen women who have been recently diagnosed, so we’re getting a whole group of women to celebrate our survivorship is really important. It’s inspirational to hear their stories and listen to what they have to say. After they speak, I sometimes go up and talk to them myself, and see if I can offer any words to them.”
Hamerin went through chemotherapy and radiation and when she was almost done with radiation there was another cancerous lump.
“So they did a mastectomy (on the right side), and I was fine after that,” Hamerin said. “Eight years after the first diagnosis, I was diagnosed again in the same area, and it was in lymph nodes in my clavicle area. I took another series of chemotherapy, and it obviously helped because here I am 12 years later.”
The event designed for cancer survivors, along with family and friends, will include a photo both and a new art project for the Women’s Center.
Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Cost is $5 per person and registration is required. Register at riverview.org/classes, or call 776-7999.
