Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center prepares for walk to support patients
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- After months of debate, Constance McNair finally decided to go to the doctor on July 3rd.
"I had a lump, well more than a lump," she admitted. "I think it was more like a mass and I had felt that mass for like four months. Scared. Just didn't want to tell anybody."
By the end of the month, she'd had a mastectomy. On Friday, she was back in the Cancer Center at Cape Fear Valley's Health Pavilion North.
"I haven't started chemo yet, but I guess that's what they're going to talk to me about today."
McNair is one of hundreds of new patients receiving treatment in Cape Fear Valley's cancer centers. While her enemy is breast cancer, many are facing blood cancer.
Over the summer the hospital acquired a blood and cancer clinic from private practice, transferring its staff and patients to Pavilion North. Then they opened a new Harnett County facility in Dunn. Between the pavilion and main campus, the cancer center is treating 300 new patients a day.
"(It means) a whole lot of patients, a whole lot of needs and we need a whole lot of help," said director, Brenda Hall.
That's where Friends of the Cancer Center come in. The group provides cancer patient necessities that go beyond the doctor's appointment. Through their funding wigs, mortgage and rent assistance, gas vouchers and art therapy are available to all Cape Fear Valley cancer patients.
Much of the funding comes from the annual Ribbon Walk & Ride. On Saturday, September 20th, hundreds of survivors and friends will descend on downtown Fayetteville for the 9th annual event that will support all of the amenities available through Friends of the Cancer Center.
This year's walk will be start in Festival Park because of the event's growth. Hall said it's easy to understand the popularity.
"Who doesn't know somebody who's had cancer? asked Hall. "And there's lots of patients who have financial means to take care of wigs and their rents and their mortgages, and have all of these nice other programs that help patients relax and get their cancer treatment, but a lot of people don't."
"It's like paying it forward."
That's something McNair plans to do when she laces up her walking shoes next Saturday.
"When I was first diagnosed I was scared," she said. "I did not know who to talk to, who to turn to, and I want to be that person for someone who's newly diagnosed to let them know it's going to be okay. It's going to be okay."
The event will be emceed by ABC 11's Nicole Carr and WKML's Don Chase. For more information, including registration:
http://www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1102109
