By Indu Gupta, Commissioner of Health
Contributing Author: Jenny Dickinson, Cancer Services Program Coordinator

On October 15th, the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program had the honor of thanking seven local breast cancer survivors for taking part in “Celebrating Survivors: A Traveling Roadshow”. The posters traveled over a 6 week period to 16 locations throughout Onondaga County, primarily in the city of Syracuse.

At the recognition event, our Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta, recited an inspiring poem she wrote in honor of the occasion:

A Poem by Dr. Indu Gupta
Once you were told of the diagnosis and chance of recovery,
Your days and nights suddenly became dark and gloomy,
You were in denial and angry with no end to your agony,
Why me…was the question and anxiety of new identity?
But after this struggle, you took charge of your destiny,
You changed from feeling pain to Hope and recovery,
You changed your struggle to acceptance and Victory,
And changed your tears to your spiritual journey,
You shared unconditionally your amazing life journey,
Oh beautiful women, you are my inspirational story.

Please meet these amazing women of the
“Celebrating Survivors” project:

Pictured from left to right are: Jessica Bell of Susan G. Komen Central New York Affiliate; survivors Roslyn Hector, Barbara Collins, Patricia Green, Valerie Taylor, Bobbie Jean Davis-Jackson and Tamiko Gallishaw; and Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta. Not pictured is survivor Mildred Turner.