Jun 3, 2002 By Josh Krysak For The 3 min read

Last year, when Joan Brandsetter was diagnosed with uterine sarcoma, she first thought of her two boys, both in college, and still recovering from losing their father, Herman, to a brain tumor. She decided then that she would not let the disease beat her.

“They were not ready to lose another parent. It gave me the determination that I have to be here,” Brandsetter said.

On Sunday, Brandsetter and hundreds of other cancer survivors met at the Mountaineer Banquet and Event Center in Star City for the ninth annual Survivor’s Day Celebration.

Doctors and nurses from West Virginia University’s Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center joined their patients for an afternoon of music, food and fellowship.

Brandsetter, who lives in Clarksville, W.Va., was one of the many success stories at the celebration.

After she was diagnosed, the cancer spread to her back and settled in her vertebrae. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation, but it was an amazing surgery that removed the cancer.

Doctors at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown removed the diseased vertebrae and replaced it with a metal basket containing bone fragments. The fragments will eventually regenerate and create the missing section of spine.

While she is still not entirely cancer free, the cancer has stopped growing, something that makes Brandsetter very happy.

Brandsetter does admit that times got tough, but she relied on her faith and family to pull her through.

“Dozens of people were praying for me and that made the difference,” she said. “It was science and religion working together.”

Her sentiments were echoed by the brief remarks given by Dr. Jame Abraham at the beginning of the celebration.

“The doctors and nurses are only tools in His (God’s) hands,” said Abraham. “The beauty of life begins when I stop saying, ‘Everything is under my control.'”

Another survivor, Frank Durst of McClellandtown, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June of 2001, was just happy to participate.

“I like to do anything to encourage people,” said the 70-year-old retired machinist. He underwent radiation treatments and is now cancer free. “I can do anything now.”

Carolyn Greene couldn’t offer so much enthusiasm but came just the same. The 29-year-old Greensboro native has diabetes and is on dialysis. She is also awaiting a kidney transplant but is now cancer free after having surgery to remove her colon.

Her attitude was positive and hopeful. “I came to show that you can he young and have cancer, and still survive it,” she said smiling softly. She admits that cancer has been her easiest battle. “They just removed it,” she said.

One of the nurses from the Cancer Center, Leslie Crossley, described the difficult task the nurses and doctors face at the center.

“When you walk in and you see all of these people huddled together in the lobby, waiting to be seen, waiting for good news or bad news, it is really heartbreaking,” she said.

But Crossley wouldn’t have it any other way. “I feel extremely lucky to have met these people and been involved in their lives,” she said. Her involvement has changed lives, lives like Joan Brandsetter.

The 55-year-old said she came to the event because she, “felt like celebrating.”

“I’m still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up,” she said.