Cancer Survivors Invited to Celebrate Life
Pana Community Hospital and Dr. Benjamin Esparaz have planned a special luncheon on Saturday, June 1st to celebrate life. Special invitations were sent out to all people who have been treated at Pana Community Hospital with cancer. Dr. Benjamin Esparaz and Lori Holthaus, PCH Social Services Director, organized the event which begins at 11:00 am and will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Pana-619 Kitchell Street.
The Program for the afternoon is “Bouncing Back: Resiliency in Cancer Survivors”. The program presenters are Shannon Nail, Counselor/Patient advocate with Cancer Care Specialists and Skyler Taylor, Cancer Survivor. Skyler Taylor was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer after his first year at Millikin University. His cancer metastasized to his lungs several months later. After his treatment was completed, Skyler finished his degree at Millikin and internship at Akorn Pharmaceuticals as a chemist. He is currently a 3rd year medical student at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. Skyler is still considering what he wants to do with the rest of his life and is actively engaging in research and volunteer opportunities that are related to cancer. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t heavily considering becoming an oncologist,” stated Taylor.
Shannon Nail is a licensed counselor and patient advocate who has been with Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois in the Decatur office since June of 2018. Shannon provides support to patients, families, and caregivers by assisting with the physical, emotional, spiritual, informational, practical and social concerns related to a cancer diagnosis. This support includes individual, couple and family counseling as well as a variety of social services. Shannon is a graduate of University of Illinois in Champaign (bachelors) and Springfield (masters).
If you are planning on attending, please RSVP by May 24, 2019 to Lori Holthaus at 562-6378, Claudia Oller at 562-4479 or any of the staff in the oncology clinic.
Dr. Esparaz is an affiliate with Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois, in Decatur and is at PCH every Thursday to see patients in the Specialty Clinic located in the Medical Mall.
Photo Caption:
Pictured are some members of the Pana Community Hospital Oncology staff with Dr. Benjamin Esparaz (l to r): Charlotte Rainey, Susan Beeson, Dr. Esparaz, Lori Holthaus and Jennifer Moss.
