Greenville — Texas Oncology–Greenville Lou & Jack Finney Cancer Center volunteers and staff have been honored with the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Gordy Platt Power of Hope Award, a highly coveted honor recognizing achievement in registering cancer survivors into a database that helps ACS plan and develop national programs and resources.
The Greenville practice played a significant role in gathering the 433 registered survivors, giving Hunt County the most registered survivors for a county of its size in the U.S. The award was presented to Texas Oncology by Relay for Life volunteer and cancer survivor, Melody Pierce, on Friday, May 19 at the Hunt County Relay for Life.
“At Texas Oncology, we believe that a patient’s treatment doesn’t end once they have been declared cancer-free, but continues into survivorship,” said Dr. Meera Shreedhara, medical oncologist, Texas Oncology–Greenville Lou & Jack Finney Cancer Center. “We are constantly inspired by the courage that our patients display in fighting cancer. It is our privilege to support them in all aspects of their journey. Our practice is grateful that our efforts have resulted in this recognition.”
Pierce, a Texas Oncology patient, with support from Dr. Shreedhara and Texas Oncology–Greenville Lou & Jack Finney Cancer Center, created a support group called “Journey into Life,” to provide survivors needed emotional support and an opportunity to share their experiences. In addition to providing meeting space at the practice clinic for the past seven years, Texas Oncology’s physicians regularly attend group meetings. Texas Oncology–Greenville Lou & Jack Finney Cancer Center encourages patients to connect with survivors in their community through support groups and events like Relay for Life. This year, a team from Texas Oncology participated in the relay’s Survivors Lap.
“I wanted to create a place where survivors could feel loved and heard. This would not have been possible without the support from Texas Oncology’s physicians,” said Melody Pierce. “Even in their busy schedules, the physicians attend support group meetings alongside their patients, showing they are not just a physician, but a friend who cares.”
The Gordy Platt Power of Hope Award is an important accolade that spotlights the need for individual survivors to provide data that helps ACS create needed programs and resources to support the cancer community nationwide.
Below are photos of the award and those who made this award possible:
(Left to Right) Ashley Hilliard, Senior Oncology Liaison (Texas Oncology); Melody Pierce, Relay for Life Hunt County People Lead (American Cancer Society); Dr. Meera Shreedhara, Medical Oncologist (Texas Oncology); Nora Minor, Practice Manager (Texas Oncology)
(Left to Right) Dr. Sanjay Emandi, Radiation Oncologist (Texas Oncology); Dr. Meera Shreedhara, Medical Oncologist (Texas Oncology)