Archive >> Zachary >> March/April 2007 >> Victory Lap: Zachary Resident's Battle With Cancer Inspires Volunteer Work and Advocacy
23/Jul/2007
VICTORY LAP
Zachary Resident’s Battle With Cancer
Inspires Volunteer Work and Advocacy
By Christiana Johns
Running errands can be tedious and sometimes stressful, especially when trying to fight crowds after the holidays. But for Cherie Gravois, one of those routines saved her life.
After a routine mammogram the day after Christmas, Gravois found out on New Year’s Eve in 2001 that the lump in her breast was cancer. But because of that scheduled test the cancer was caught early. After many surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Gravois is celebrating her 5th anniversary surviving the disease.
The Zachary resident is not only a cancer survivor, but also an activist for awareness and an avenue of aid for others struggling with the illness. Through her own experience she has become actively involved in the fight against cancer, such as being a major player in the fundraiser and awareness event, Relay For Life. She has helped raise money for research, advocated the importance of early detection and organized events that support those affected by cancer.
Cancer Central
Gravois was healthy the day she found out she had breast cancer. She has no family history of breast cancer, does not smoke and lives a healthy lifestyle. So when the doctor spoke those horrific words, she was in disbelief. “It almost wasn’t real. I felt fine. I never expected to hear those words,” she said. Despite several surgeries, Gravois still had to endure chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “My heart sank.”
Although many people have their own way of coping with cancer, Gravois’ method was to find out every piece of information she could. She said at the beginning
she didn’t know much about breast cancer but found knowledge to be empowering. “My mom said our dining room table became ‘Cancer Central’ with all of the books and information spread out everywhere.”
Since her husband and brother are both doctors, she also had easy access to asking questions and getting advice. Her brother worked at a cancer institute in Pittsburgh and knew a doctor in New Orleans who had done a lot of the procedures. She decided to go to New Orleans to have her surgery.
She said she found support from other women with breast cancer such as Cheryl La Croix and the late Helen Rudyanski. “There’s a support you get from other survivors that had the same experience.”
She also drew strength from Rev. Scott Schmiedings, a Lutheran pastor in Baton Rouge who was a guest speaker at a conference she went to and who also has tongue cancer. “It takes physical, emotional and spiritual strength to take on cancer. By God’s grace, I preach, teach and sing without a tongue,” he said.
Gravois said what sustained her during her treatments was the support from friends and family as well as her faith in God. In addition to the doctors’ notes and cancer literature spread across her dining room table were cards from friends and family lending their support during that difficult time.
However, the ACS states on its Web site that breast cancer deaths are decreasing which the organization attributes to early detection, something Gravois campaigns for because she knows it saved her own life.
In 2003, Gravois was asked to give the survivor speech at the event. Since then she has participated on the planning committee every year. “My hope in participating in Relay For Life is more than just one reason. First and foremost it is a part of the battle against cancer. We have to find a cure to this disease; early detection is a big part of the cure. What I love about it is the theme of hope that there will be a cure.”
Last year she planned the Cancer Survivor Prayer Breakfast where local pastors came and spoke words of inspiration and hope to those affected by the disease. This year the breakfast will be on March 31st with the theme being “Cups of Hope.” She said she got the idea from a national prayer breakfast and thought it would be a good idea within her own community. “There are talks about hope from a faith prospective and how important hope is in this journey we have.”
Another community fundraiser Gravois is helping to organize is a community-wide garage sale on April 14th. People will be given a map of homes in Zachary that will be participating and be able to go to many garage sales all in the same day. A portion of the proceeds collected will go to the American Cancer Society to fund research.
In addition to these events, Gravois became a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society where she attended Celebration on the Hill in Washington D.C. She participated in this event to celebrate survivorship and advocate laws to help fight cancer.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) travels to the capital to ensure that breast cancer screenings and treatments are available for lowincome women, to persuade Congress to sign the Congressional Cancer Promise which is ACS CAN’s legislative agenda that covers issues such as health care, and to accelerate progress in cancer research.
When one of Gravois’ friends was in the hospital for 30 days, she called her friend every day to check on how she was doing. “When I was at the hospital with this horrible tumor in my lung she came and stayed with me,” Gravois’ friend Sheila Joyner said. “I was extremely ill. My family was beside themselves, but Cherie was there lending support. She has this warm, caring way about her.”
Joyner said Gravois’ experience with cancer has made her into the activist she is today. “If there’s anything good that comes out of cancer, it’s that it makes people so aware of other people’s problems and wanting to give back to those who helped you.”
“Before I had cancer I knew the American Cancer Society as a logo,” Gravois said. “I really didn’t know what they did and how they supported cancer patients and the efforts they make in advocacy. They’re part of the reason you’re not going to smoke in restaurants anymore. If I had not gone through that experience I wouldn’t be as active in the fight as I am now.”
Cancer also taught Gravois many simple things, such as how to wear a scarf around her bald head, how to draw on eyebrows and to enjoy the taste of food (she said chemotherapy makes everything taste like metal). More importantly, she said she learned how much she was loved and how much she loved those in her life as well. “At the same time you’re not feeling well, you’re feeling so loved. I learned what a real gift life is.”
For more information about Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society call 225-767-7197.
Zachary Resident’s Battle With Cancer
Inspires Volunteer Work and Advocacy
By Christiana Johns
Running errands can be tedious and sometimes stressful, especially when trying to fight crowds after the holidays. But for Cherie Gravois, one of those routines saved her life.
After a routine mammogram the day after Christmas, Gravois found out on New Year’s Eve in 2001 that the lump in her breast was cancer. But because of that scheduled test the cancer was caught early. After many surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Gravois is celebrating her 5th anniversary surviving the disease.
The Zachary resident is not only a cancer survivor, but also an activist for awareness and an avenue of aid for others struggling with the illness. Through her own experience she has become actively involved in the fight against cancer, such as being a major player in the fundraiser and awareness event, Relay For Life. She has helped raise money for research, advocated the importance of early detection and organized events that support those affected by cancer.
Cancer Central
Gravois was healthy the day she found out she had breast cancer. She has no family history of breast cancer, does not smoke and lives a healthy lifestyle. So when the doctor spoke those horrific words, she was in disbelief. “It almost wasn’t real. I felt fine. I never expected to hear those words,” she said. Despite several surgeries, Gravois still had to endure chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “My heart sank.”Although many people have their own way of coping with cancer, Gravois’ method was to find out every piece of information she could. She said at the beginning
she didn’t know much about breast cancer but found knowledge to be empowering. “My mom said our dining room table became ‘Cancer Central’ with all of the books and information spread out everywhere.” Since her husband and brother are both doctors, she also had easy access to asking questions and getting advice. Her brother worked at a cancer institute in Pittsburgh and knew a doctor in New Orleans who had done a lot of the procedures. She decided to go to New Orleans to have her surgery.
She said she found support from other women with breast cancer such as Cheryl La Croix and the late Helen Rudyanski. “There’s a support you get from other survivors that had the same experience.”
She also drew strength from Rev. Scott Schmiedings, a Lutheran pastor in Baton Rouge who was a guest speaker at a conference she went to and who also has tongue cancer. “It takes physical, emotional and spiritual strength to take on cancer. By God’s grace, I preach, teach and sing without a tongue,” he said.
Gravois said what sustained her during her treatments was the support from friends and family as well as her faith in God. In addition to the doctors’ notes and cancer literature spread across her dining room table were cards from friends and family lending their support during that difficult time.
Early Detection
The American Cancer Society estimates about 178,480 women in the United States will have breast cancer in 2007, and about 40,460 women will die from the disease this year. Currently a little more than 2 million women living in the U.S. have been treated for breast cancer. About 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer in her lifetime, and the chance of dying from the disease is about 1 in 33.However, the ACS states on its Web site that breast cancer deaths are decreasing which the organization attributes to early detection, something Gravois campaigns for because she knows it saved her own life.
Caring campaign
In the spring of 2002, Gravois had just finished her last round of chemotherapy when she heard about the Relay For Life in Zachary and decided to become involved. Relay for Life is an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society that raises cancer awareness in the community and raises money for research. Thousands of communities nationwide participate in the overnight event, which includes informational booths, food, games, ceremonies and more. The next Zachary/Baker Relay For Life will be on April 20th. The goal is to collect $55,000 this year.In 2003, Gravois was asked to give the survivor speech at the event. Since then she has participated on the planning committee every year. “My hope in participating in Relay For Life is more than just one reason. First and foremost it is a part of the battle against cancer. We have to find a cure to this disease; early detection is a big part of the cure. What I love about it is the theme of hope that there will be a cure.”
Last year she planned the Cancer Survivor Prayer Breakfast where local pastors came and spoke words of inspiration and hope to those affected by the disease. This year the breakfast will be on March 31st with the theme being “Cups of Hope.” She said she got the idea from a national prayer breakfast and thought it would be a good idea within her own community. “There are talks about hope from a faith prospective and how important hope is in this journey we have.”
Another community fundraiser Gravois is helping to organize is a community-wide garage sale on April 14th. People will be given a map of homes in Zachary that will be participating and be able to go to many garage sales all in the same day. A portion of the proceeds collected will go to the American Cancer Society to fund research.
In addition to these events, Gravois became a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society where she attended Celebration on the Hill in Washington D.C. She participated in this event to celebrate survivorship and advocate laws to help fight cancer.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) travels to the capital to ensure that breast cancer screenings and treatments are available for lowincome women, to persuade Congress to sign the Congressional Cancer Promise which is ACS CAN’s legislative agenda that covers issues such as health care, and to accelerate progress in cancer research.
Helping others
Gravois’ own personal experience with cancer has changed her outlook on life. She said having cancer is a humbling experience, and it made her more appreciative of her life and gave her a stronger faith in God. It has also inspired all of the work she has done to help others who went through the same thing she did.When one of Gravois’ friends was in the hospital for 30 days, she called her friend every day to check on how she was doing. “When I was at the hospital with this horrible tumor in my lung she came and stayed with me,” Gravois’ friend Sheila Joyner said. “I was extremely ill. My family was beside themselves, but Cherie was there lending support. She has this warm, caring way about her.”
Joyner said Gravois’ experience with cancer has made her into the activist she is today. “If there’s anything good that comes out of cancer, it’s that it makes people so aware of other people’s problems and wanting to give back to those who helped you.”
“Before I had cancer I knew the American Cancer Society as a logo,” Gravois said. “I really didn’t know what they did and how they supported cancer patients and the efforts they make in advocacy. They’re part of the reason you’re not going to smoke in restaurants anymore. If I had not gone through that experience I wouldn’t be as active in the fight as I am now.”
Treasuring life
Her experience and activities have made a name for herself as a go-to leg of support for others. She said her friends often call her when they know of someone who has breast cancer for words of hope. “You are able to help people in a way you were not able to before. My cancer experience taught me how to help somebody go through this. Life doesn’t have to stop.”Cancer also taught Gravois many simple things, such as how to wear a scarf around her bald head, how to draw on eyebrows and to enjoy the taste of food (she said chemotherapy makes everything taste like metal). More importantly, she said she learned how much she was loved and how much she loved those in her life as well. “At the same time you’re not feeling well, you’re feeling so loved. I learned what a real gift life is.”
For more information about Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society call 225-767-7197.
