Methodist Cancer Center celebrates cancer survivors

West Houston and Katy cancer survivors celebrated National Cancer Survivors Day on June 1 at an event the Methodist Cancer Center in West Houston hosted at the hospital at 18500 Katy Freeway in Katy.

Forty-plus survivors and their loved ones shared their commitment to the future.  

Dr. Clive Shkedy, radiation oncologist and medical director of the Cancer Center; Tommy Thompson, executive vice president of CanCare; and Janet Pickens, with the American Cancer Society, gave their perspectives on services and resources available during and after cancer treatment.  

Cancer survivor Melody Peeples, the director of laboratory and respiratory care at Methodist West Houston Hospital, spoke about her experience of undergoing treatment while opening a fundamental department at the hospital. The support from her family and caregiver team was essential to her successful treatment, as well as rest and humor in dealing with the challenges faced during the process, Peeples said.

"We celebrate the courage of those with cancer alongside the work of our incredible employees, doctors and CanCare and American Cancer Society volunteers to provide hope and healing to the community," said Kim Collins, director of the Cancer Center. "Together, we give our patients the support they need to fight cancer."  

Collins also announced the opening of the Methodist West Houston Cancer Resource Center, which offers patients and their families the latest information on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Methodist offers state-of-the-art equipment and therapies as part of the center's comprehensive, individualized care.  

The center works with CanCare, a volunteer organization, to provide one-on-one support to those newly diagnosed with cancer. It also works with the American Cancer Society's Look Good ... Feel Better program, which addresses appearance-related concerns of patients.

For more information, visit www.methodistwesthouston.com or call the Cancer Center at 832-522-2873.