LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky ranks among the highest in cancer and mortality rates nationwide, according to the Kentucky Cancer Consortium’s 2024 report.
The Kentucky Cancer Consortium has created a framework in its new Cancer Action Plan to reduce the burden of cancer. It lays out five goals, including optimizing survivorship treatment and care.
At Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana, survivors participate in classes to help them on their road to full recovery. For cancer survivor Rhonda Logsdon, painting requires brush technique, a lot of patience and, of course, creativity.
“I just like to do it because it’s fun, see what it turns out like,” Logsdon said.
Logsdon said she wouldn’t call herself a painter, but she does a have green thumb.
“My flower beds were the most important thing to me,” she said. “And now, it’s like weed beds now. I haven’t been able to touch it for two years.”
That’s because she lost the top left lobe of one of her lungs when doctors discovered cancer.
“Didn’t like the fact I happened to lose a whole lobe, but two doctors said that’s the only way they could make sure they get it all,” Logsdon said. “I didn’t even have to have radiation.”
After that, she was cancer free; however, she said it took a toll not only on her body but also her mental health.
“I really felt down; it was really a dark period,” she said.
A couple of months after getting the mass removed, she began going to Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana, an organization that brings together cancer survivors to uplift those affected by the disease.
“Living with cancer is not a choice anyone would make, but how you live with cancer is your choice,” said Karen Morrison, Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana president and CEO. “That’s what Gilda’s Club is all about, learning to live with cancer with joy and style, purpose, meaning and, yes, even laughter.”
The Kentucky Cancer Action Plan recommends increasing the proportion of cancer survivors who have fewer than two weeks of poor mental health each month from roughly 84% to nearly 93% by 2030. Morrison said she thinks Gilda’s Club can help accomplish that goal.
“We have people who say, ‘Gilda’s Club saved my life,’ and they don’t mean we gave them chemo or radiation that caused their cancer to go away,” Morrison said.“We have people who say, ‘Gilda’s Club saved my life,’ and they don’t mean we gave them chemo or radiation that caused their cancer to go away,” Morrison said. “They mean we allowed them to live their life fully while cancer was a part of it."
Logsdon said the programs have been life-changing, as she can spend time with people face a similar situation.
“Coming here is refreshing; you get to do stuff you don’t do at home really,” Logsdon said. “I like meeting the people and hearing their stories, too.”
Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana is expected to provide service to 4,000 people this year, Morrison said.
