Scripps Health marked its 26th annual observance of National Cancer Survivors Day Monday with a gathering of local survivors at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.
Dozens of people shared their tales of survival, including psychologist Tarane Sondoozi. The Scripps Employee Assistance Program provider is a breast cancer survivor. She gave the keynote speech.
Sondoozi has to take hormonal medication for the next five to 10 years. She said the side effects are tough.
“There are days when I don’t want to take it, there are days when I’m angry I have to take it, there are days that I feel pressured to take it," Sondoozi admitted.
South Bay resident Cindy Silver, who attended the event, was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in 2008.
Silver fought her way through surgery and two years of nonstop chemotherapy.
She attributes her survival to her positive attitude.
“When my hair started falling out, I thought, 'oh well, it means it’s killing something,'" Silver said. "And so all through it, it was kind of, like, we’re gonna beat this. And it’s so hard to look back now and to know what I know now. I’m grateful.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 40 percent of adults will get a diagnosis of cancer at some point during their lifetime.
