Journal of Hope
Fall 2009: Gerry Cook – Profile of Survivorship
At her chemotherapy treatment recently, Gerry Cook made it clear she wasn’t sure why she’d been chosen as a featured testimonial. “Surely, there must be other, more heroic stories…
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Ruth McGinnis to Speak at Chattanooga’s Second Annual Women and Cancer Event Mar 03, 2009
Ruth McGinnis – author, recording artist, wellness professional and ovarian cancer survivor – will be the featured speaker at the second annual Women and Cancer Event in Chattanooga, Tenn. Hosted by Parkridge Medical Center and the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, in cooperation with The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation, the luncheon and silent auction will take place on Thursday, April 8, at 11:30 EST, at The Chattanoogan. This event will focus on women’s cancers; honor the women affected by these devastating diseases; and raise money for community education, transportation and resource programs. Ruth McGinnis was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July of 2006. “Although this was a difficult time for me, it has transformed my life for the better. I now view my illness as a gift of cancer,” said McGinnis. She received a degree in violin performance from Juilliard School of Music and has been in Nashville since 1986. During this time, McGinnis has performed and recorded with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Vince Gill and the late John Hartford. Since 2001, she has recorded a series of instrumental CDs: a collection of Celtic folk, sacred and classical melodies. Her most recent CD, Songs of Love and Light, was completed at the end of 2008. As a certified wellness professional, McGinnis started her career as an author and inspirational speaker with her first book, Living the Good Life. Following the success of her first book, she wrote, Breathing Freely: Celebrating the Imperfect Life, a memoir. “It is perfectly natural to want to live the very best life possible, but no one has the ideal life. I try to inspire people to celebrate the beauty of the imperfect life by blending the life of their dreams with the reality of the lives they are living,” said McGinnis. With a history of speaking, writing, and making music, she will bring both music and inspirational storytelling to the event. The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge Medical Center is a Commission on Cancer accredited comprehensive oncology program including radiation therapy services and chemotherapy services. The center includes a cancer registry, clinical trials, Minnie Pearl Resource Center and a healing garden, as well as centralized services through their oncology navigation program for cancer patients and their families. Individual tickets are $80 or $800 for a table. To register, contact Laura Robinson of the Parkridge Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at laura.robinson@hcahealthcare.com or (423) 495-1865 or Faith Holley of The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation at faith@minniepearl.org or (877) 467-1936. The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit public charity committed to funding programs that provide the greatest benefit to cancer patients and their families. By supporting new programs in cancer research, education, and patient and family services, we honor the memory of Sarah Cannon, a cancer patient herself, who created the beloved character “Minnie Pearl.” About Parkridge Medical Center Parkridge Medical Center and its remote facilities of Parkridge East and Parkridge Valley provide a full compliment of healthcare services including Accredited Chest Pain Centers, cardiac services, oncology, orthopedics, women’s services, neonatal intensive care, outpatient services and psychiatric care. Parkridge Medical Center was first in the region to perform advanced robotics surgery and boasts the most experienced robotics surgery team in the region. Parkridge Medical Center, Parkridge East Hospital and Parkridge Valley are members of the TriStar family of hospitals. To learn more, visit www.ParkridgeMedicalCenter.com or contact TriStar Medline at (423) 622-4848.