Forecast brightens for Backus cancer survivors
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WFSB-3 weatherman Scot Haney brought a lot with him to Cancer Survivors Day: his celebrity status, his wacky antics and an inspirational message.
He also brought his heart.
While his raucous and at times edgy speech thrilled the crowd of approximately 800, it was his actions before and after the event that he will be remembered for.
Mr. Haney, known for his zany behavior during the Channel 3 morning news, was bombarded by fans as soon as he arrived at the rain-soaked Backus parking lot.
Before he even made it inside the tent, throngs of fans lined up to meet him. He spent the better part of an hour signing autographs, posing for pictures and giving hugs. He even kissed a fan's pet Guinea Pig, which she brought because she said it gets excited whenever Mr. Haney does the weather on Channel 3 news.
When the event was over, he patiently did it all over again (minus the Guinea Pig), as a long line of people lined up to meet him.
When asked to visit staff and patients on the A-2 oncology floor, he immediately and enthusiastically obliged. It was in this setting that he was at his best, using humor as medicine for cancer patients.
It was an unexpected delight for patients who were too sick to be brought through the rain squalls to the tent where he talked about everything from Backus saving his aunt's life to his attention-grabbing traffic reporter colleague Teresa LaBarbera and his own gay lifestyle.
Mr. Haney, although not a cancer survivor, knows a little something about the disease. His mother has been a cancer survivor for 20 years, which helped him relate to the audience filled with cancer survivors and their families. Unfazed by the jokes about the bad weather he brought with him, he used the rainy day to brighten the day of his fans.
"Isn't it wonderful that you get to see these raindrops?" Mr. Haney said.
The ninth annual Cancer Survivors Day event also included a speech by cancer survivor Donna Palumbo, a longtime Backus and Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Associates employee who was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago following her first routine mammogram.
Ms. Palumbo used the stage to thank her husband Michael for helping her make it through the tough times, and promoted the upcoming Survivors in Fashion show fundraiser to be held Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Tickets are available in the Gift Shop or by calling 823-6331.
She also delivered a "Top 10" list of reasons she is thankful to be a cancer survivor. Her number one reason?
"I get to stand here today with all of you, and celebrate life," Ms. Palumbo said. "We are all in this together, a community of survivors. Whatever cancer you have been diagnosed with, it changes your life. But I've learned to live life to its fullest, enjoy every moment and have dedicated my life to helping cancer patients."
Karen Long, RN, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, began the day by welcoming the large crowd, which also enjoyed a hamburger and hot dog picnic prepared by the Backus Food and Nutrition Department, a health fair and a flower ceremony recognizing a wide range of cancer survivors - from newly diagnosed to decades.
"This event is so vibrant because it focuses on hope and survival," Ms. Long said. "And that is what my colleagues at Backus do every day. These people, using the great technology in the buildings behind me, work to promote healing and health. Your presence here today - this amazing turnout - is a testament to the power of healing."
Following a benediction by Pastor Sonny Stimson of the Christian Fellowship Church in Scotland and lunch, Backus Cancer Services Medical Director Dinesh Kapur took the stage.
Dr. Kapur said events like Cancer Survivors Day promote camaraderie among clinicians, caregivers and patients. He also updated Backus efforts to offer the best in cancer care, close to home. The latest addition to the hospital's award-winning cancer center includes the addition of MRI-guided breast biopsy capabilities.
Keith Fontaine, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, thanked the Cancer Survivors Day Committee for organizing the event.
He pointed out that nearly one-half of all men, and one-third of all women, will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetimes.
"That's why it is so important for all of us to celebrate survivorship - and send a strong message in the process," Mr. Fontaine said. "Prevention and early detection are keys to surviving cancer. If there is one message to take away today, and spread the word about, that's it."
John Panicek, Administrative Director of Cancer Services at Backus, surprised Mr. Haney with a donation from the hospital to the Channel 3 Kids Camp.
The buzz about Mr. Haney's performance continued on Monday, when he wore a pink boa Palumbo gave him and sported a Backus coffee mug during his weather forecasts. He also talked at length about the event during his talk show "Better Connecticut."