Cancer survivors honoured

By Jack Elliott
Contributor

Four dozen Cancer Survivors were honoured at a dinner in Rainy River just prior to the start of the Relay for Life in Rainy River last Friday. Hosted at the Recreation Centre, the meal was served by members of the 4H Relay for Life Club, which includes Cancer Survivor Kurt Desserre
The after dinner speaker was teacher and survivor Kerry Vandendriessche who was diagnosed with cancer as a 3-year-old child in 1987.
“I remember very little of my treatment or my stay in hospital. I do remember having an IV, playing in a play room, and a lumbar puncture…” Kerry recounted adding her ‘No More Chemo Party’ on Toronto Island when she was 7 was most memorable.
Attending Camp Oochigeas was a very positive experience for Kerry. This camp is organized for children who are experiencing or who have recovered from Cancer “allowing them to forget the bad things happening in their lives and just have fun. There cancer was normal and no one was going to laugh at your bald head”
Kerry attended Camp Oochigeas until she was 15 and then returned a few years ago as a volunteer to help other kids have the same experience.
Kerry having participated in other Relays for Life recounted this was here first time speaking at one.
“Talking about cancer is not something I do very often,” stated Kerry thanking Kim Desserre for inviting her to share her story.