For 14 years, between 1978 and 1992, I was the medical administrative assistant to the director of radiation therapy at a community hospital on Long Island’s south shore in New York.

Over those years I came to know hundreds of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Our department accumulated and recorded an extensive list of survivors.

Numerous women whose cancer types were radiosensitive did not survive and vice versa; those whose cancer was known to be aggressive, did make it.

What was it in their lives that made the difference?

Yes, of course the type, size, location and sensitivity to radiation were the contributing and significant factors. But there was something else, something intangible that allowed those women to move beyond the devastating and traumatic shock of the news, effects of treatment and constant fear of recurrence.

Although not a clinical fact, but having witnessed first-hand not only the physical, but the emotional healing of these women, I believe the other common denominators responsible for their survival were hope, support, faith and attitude.

Fast forward to 2008 — I am residing and writing in Wake County. Someone had a ‘tip’ for me. “Sonia,” she said, “I must tell you about this special group of women, all breast cancer survivors.”

The four original founders were friends. Jane McLaurin, Pam Mitchell, Vicki Powell and Linda Johnson, all diagnosed with breast cancer, in turn, provided the kind of support to one another that one can only receive from someone who has had the experience. They cried together.

One day in November 2004, over lunch, they decided to initiate a survivor’s club — a casual gathering where laughing and crying together would cut through barriers and naturally lead to the kind of supportive environment needed for survival. They called themselves Sisters of Hope, circulated their idea at surgeons’ and oncologists’ offices and began meeting monthly, paying no dues and wearing no T-shirts.

Those who joined, initially strangers, ranged in age from their 30s to 80s, drew strength, bonded and developed close feelings for each other. Each took from the meetings what they needed. When their purpose had been fulfilled, some moved on as new women gathered.

It was my pleasure to present a non-clinical, expressive arts program at their October 2008 meeting. They embraced the poetry that sparked an opportunity to view themselves from a new vantage point, seeing the persons they are, where they’ve been and what they’ve accomplished.

At the end of the presentation, I requested that they join me in a writing exercise known as the collective poem whereby those who are so moved contribute a line of verse. All 11 women in attendance that night participated.

I read aloud what they had written, and not surprisingly, the poem resonated with the tone of not the individual contributors, but as though it was written by one voice.

I recently dropped in at a meeting. The poem was read again and a retrospective conversation took place as they considered their words … TODAY, I AM … reawakening from a disturbing dream grateful for a second chance at life gratefully here stronger than ever today, I am thankful for the strength of my friends and family that the Lord has given me a third chance — cured of cancer, heart attack and stroke, I am thankful to be alive today, I am encouraged ready now to try anything and not be afraid I am thankful for great doctors and medical care today, I am inspired thankful that I can talk about cancer I am not afraid anymore today my expectation is from the Lord and though I realize I may fall, today, I stand on top of the world a survivor.

While the future is unpredictable, by committing their feelings to the blank page they mirrored their strength, faith and love of life. For further information, contact Linda Johnson at 552-4707 or Pam Mitchell at 552-7445.