Pink Tea party celebrates survivors
- posted: 23 Oct. 2007
- scrollnews@byui.edu
Pink jackets, pink shoes, even pink hair were all ways to show support at the annual Pink Tea, an event held for people whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Sharon Marler and Joanne Williams coordinated the event, which was held Oct. 16 at The Relay Station Restaurant in St. Anthony.
Covered in pink balloons, streamers, and assorted pink flowers, the restaurant filled up with people, including St. Anthony’s Mayor Bill Beck.
The evening began with opening remarks by Mrs. Williams and Mayor Beck, who supports the event every year.
“There are a few that aren’t with us this year, a few that have joined us. But the fight goes on. We appreciate you, and you are our heroes,” Beck said.
Marler, a cancer survivor herself, expressed her affection for friends and family who become caretakers for cancer victims.
“I think the caretaker’s job is the hardest… The caretakers are the victims that watch, and sometimes don’t quite know what to say or feel,” Marler said.
Richard Law, father of a cancer survivor, talked about how cancer affected his family. Then, roses were passed out to each person who had fought and survived cancer.
Don Trupp, Fremont county commissioner, spoke about his unique experience as one of very few men to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Trupp spoke of the first time he went to a doctor with a complaint about what he thought was a bruise on his chest.
“I’ll never forget those words,” Trupp said. “‘Donald, I don’t think we should poo-poo it,’” Trupp said, referring to his doctor’s decision to biopsy what he believed was a tumor.
Katie Morgan, another cancer survivor currently attending Idaho State University, sang two aria-style selections, one in memory of those who had passed on.
“Battling something like cancer really matures a person,” Morgan said. “It makes them realize that there is more to life than high school drama. It really opens up your eyes.”
Williams commented afterwards about the number of young participants in the event.
“Young people are such an inspiration. If we can help young people who are our future; [it helps] our future mothers, leaders, everything,” Williams said.
Marler encouraged attendees to remember that there is a whole community behind them.
“That was one thing that bothered me,” Marler said. “We needed to develop a sense of community. The biggest part of surviving cancer is having good support.”
Cathy Schmechel, The Relay Station’s manager, said that this was the reason she agreed to hold the event when the coordinators approached her about it.
“I think it’s a great cause. We try and support the community any way we can,” Schmechel said. 
