The Star Group building in Copperas Cove was filled (standing room only) when a group of five cancer survivors shared their stories of triumph with local organization known as Star Group — Veterans Helping Veterans and the community on Saturday, June 21, 2025
The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance, an opening prayer and worlds from Copperas Cove Mayor Dan Yancey.
The keynote cancer survivor speakers included Donna Stewart-Wilson, John Clark, Jovann Farley, James Freeman and Lou Whidbee.
Each of those survivors got personal with the attendees by sharing their shocking tales of cancer discovery, acceptance of their condition, the struggle and harsh realities of treatment, and the freedom and victory they are currently experiencing as survivors.
Cove resident and Herald correspondent John Clark was among the speakers, and he went into detail about his journey processing his cancer diagnosis, the feelings he had becoming a cancer patient for the first time, and the hopeful joy in receiving the best possible news a cancer patient could hear.
Clark’s “diagnosis day” was in April of 2023. He recalled the harrowing and surreal feeling of pulling into the Baylor Scott & White Cancer Center on Clear Creek Road in Killeen for the first time. He was faced with the inescapable realization that he was becoming a cancer patient. It was a challenge that Clark faced head on.
Clark urged everyone in the audience to continue to check on their friends and loved ones that are going through cancer treatment and help them through the lonely and difficult road. Clark also reminded the audience that once you get diagnosed with cancer, you are a cancer patient for life because it could come back at any time.
Thankfully for Clark, the cancer that was growing in him was completely gone as of Feb. 18. He got the best possible news a cancer patient could receive when the results of his blood work came back with not just no cancer in his body, but no signs of cancerous DNA in his bloodstream at all.
The other survivors shared similar stories overcoming the diagnosis. Stewart-Wilson lifted her hand in the air with power and victory exclaiming that she is “one tough cookie.”
Jovann Farley shared her resilience and perseverance in overcoming not one, but two different cancer diagnoses.
It took James Freeman two months of radiation — five times a week — to get his prostrate cancer in remission, and he had to suffer a painful bone marrow test to get answers doctors were seeking.
And despite losing a kidney to a cancerous tumor, golfer Lou Whidbee still sees the humor and bright side in life. “If I hit a bad shot I can always say to my buddies I only got one kidney,” he quipped.
Copperas Cove Mayor Dan Yancey was presented with his survivors gift. Although he did not share his complete story, when he was doing the Event welcome, he highlighted his process. He is still very emotional when speaking about his journey.
SGVHV thanked all their Sponsors for helping make this Event possible.
PCSI, AFGE District 10, Linnemann Realty, AFGE Local 1920, Century 21 Premier Realtors Copperas Cove, JR Realtors and Property Management Copperas Cove, and Veterans United Killeen and the SGVHV Members.