Bowling Green cancer survivors celebrate strength and support at annual dinner

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – Cancer survivors and caregivers gathered in Bowling Green for an annual dinner celebrating resilience, connection, and the journeys that brought them together.

The American Cancer Society Survivors Dinner brought together people from across the community who have faced cancer diagnoses, along with those who supported them throughout their battles.

Organizers say the event is about giving survivors a place to share their stories and find comfort in others who understand what they have experienced.

Trish Seifert, who helps lead the American Cancer Society’s local ELT committee, said the dinner has been held for about 15 years and continues to provide a meaningful opportunity for survivors.

“It’s reassuring to people for them to hear the other journeys that everybody’s been taking that they’re in the same boat with,” Seifert said.

Seifert said one of the most powerful parts of the evening is hearing survivors with different experiences find common ground.

“They’ll say, like, I’ve been a survivor for 20 years, and here’s what I have,” Seifert said. “And then somebody else would be like, well, I’ve got that same thing.”

For Cynthia Mason, the event is a reminder of the strength found in a community of survivors. Mason is a four-time cancer survivor who says her experiences have changed how she views everyday moments.

“When someone tells you, hey, you have cancer, you kind of get a different perspective,” Mason said. “You learn that every breath is a win, every walk that you take is a win.”

Mason said the gathering also gives survivors the chance to recognize the people who helped them through their journeys, including caregivers.

“You don’t realize how important your caregivers are until you actually go through a diagnosis of cancer,” Mason said. “Sometimes your caregivers are all the people that you have there with you through the whole thing.”

Organizers say the dinner serves as a reminder that every survivor’s journey is different, but the support shared among those impacted by cancer can make the road easier to walk.

“I love the fact that we open our arms and we love on everybody,” Mason said. “We embrace everybody.”