Cancer survivor event 

Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans, hosted our annual Cancer survivor event at our headquarters in Copperas Cove.

June is National Cancer Survivors Month, A Star Group Veterans Event was organized by Mr John Cook and the SGVHV Team. 

Mr Cook birthed this Event out of the group’s Cancer Team. He stated

“The Event means a lot to me because a lot of people don’t know the story of cancer survivors nor what the go through. “We want people to know that a lot of cancer survivors are still here, and we want to keep them in our prayers and honor them.

This years survivor recipients were 

Mr. Audra (Dra) Hill, Ms. Julie Moser and Ms. Barbara Mims. 

They told the story of their journey, about when they were first diagnosed, how they have lived with the disease, and how they are doing now. Afterwards they posed for a picture with John Cook member of Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans and coordinator of the Cancer Survivor Celebration that was hosted by Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans.

One of the Survivors  is a Star Group Veterans Life Member, Mr. Audra “Dra” Hill is also a United States Air Force Veteran, and is battling cancer.

Mr. Hill went to the doctor because his back was really hurting, and the doctor did numerous tests, including checking his prostate, and found an oversized prostate. He was given another appointment, and it was during that meeting that Hill was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.

Hill said it was the worst feeling that he ever had.  “I did not know what to do, my heart dropped, my mouth dropped,” he said. “God has blessed me to be here, and I thank God all of the time.”  He also stated he was honored the Group asked him to share his story as it was his first time publicly sharing it. He had no idea it would be so emotional. 

“Being honored like this lets me know that people still care, and it lets me know that I am not alone, and that other people have had similar experiences with cancer and it makes you feel like that you are a part of something special.”

Ms. Moser was first diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2013. She had to have a double mastectomy, and breast reconstruction. After seven years of remission, Moser said she found another lump. She went to the doctor and learned it had returned.

“I went through treatment, and now I am living,” she said.

Ms. Moser, along with Ms. Jen Reynolds, co-founded Pink Warrior Angels which is a 501c3 non-profit that helps provide financial assistance to those who are going through a cancer diagnosis, and provides support for their families.

Ms. Barbara Mims shared her journey which was complicated y her father being diagnosed and passing away months later with the same type of cancer.  Mims was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003. After surgery to remove the caner, she received a clean bill of health in 2004.  Her father was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004 - on the same day she told him her cancer was gone. He passed away the following year and she remains cancer free. 

This was another powerful and sentimental event. Job well done