Sarcoma Cancer is a rare disease, often misdiagnosed, often afflicting children and young adults.
The Karen Wyckoff Sarcoma Foundation is dedicated to Sarcoma Cancer research, support and education...and the fight to find a cure.

"Expression of Cancer" at RIS Winter Gathering

Posted Mon, 01/30/2012 - 10:59 by pete

 Matt Sciple performs with Hipprocates CafeStories are what connect our lives. We all have stories to tell. When it comes to the sarcoma community it is our shared stories of sarcoma that bind us together. These stories involve humor, loss, tragedy and pain. We also share our humanity when we go through what Ruth Bachman, our host for our 11th Gathering of Rein in Sarcoma, calls the “tight spots in life”. 

On Sunday January 29th many of us touched by sarcoma came together at Bachman’s Heritage room for our winter Gathering and a very moving performance of the Hippocrates Cafe. “Expressions of Cancer” was put together by Dr. Jon Hallberg with thoughtful and moving performances by Matt Sciple, Katherine Ferrand and with music by Jecqueline Ultan on cello and Simone Perrin singer and accordionist.“Expressions of Cancer” through story, poetry and song explored the cancer experience from many perspectives including patients, doctors, and loved ones. Creator and director Jon Hallberg, MD, hosted the show, and provided context for the performance. To view the program, additional performance pictures and selected links to source materials used, click here. 

After the performance many of those affected by sarcoma shared their stories and their reaction to the common cancer experience. The real stories shared by the sarcoma patients, survivors, and families were frightening tales of struggle to get to and accept diagnosis, joyful tales of survival and giving back, tales of grief, tales of the skill of their doctors and the love of their support groups. As each tale brought tears or laughter from the listeners it also brought hope that we are not alone.
 

Food also feeds the soul and lightens the Spirit

Many additional stories were shared as people enjoyed Jasmine Bautrippe's delicious cakes.  Over 90 people in attended including three dozen sarcoma patients and survivors, each with their own persona sarcoma story. We hope that the weaving together of their stories left everyone feeling affirm and a little stronger..
 
It was a very successful afternoon and we would like to thank Ruth and Dale Bachman for hosting us in what one attendee called “a hopeful and restful environment” and for underwriting the inspiring entertainment. Vicki may have summed up the afternoon best on her evaluation “heartwarming, compassionate, sensitive—yet uplifting and a feeling of realness”.
 
We would greatly appreciate you sharing your sarcoma story on our website so that others may learn, be strengthened and share in your experience.  To learn more or submit your story, click here.