More than 70 cancer survivors and guests gathered on May 28 for Phelps Memorial Health Center’s annual Cancer Survivors Celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring survivorship, recognizing caregivers, and celebrating the strength and resilience found along the cancer journey.
The event brought together survivors, family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals for an evening of fellowship, encouragement, and reflection. Guests enjoyed a complimentary dinner and an inspiring presentation from guest speaker Stacey VanBoening, APRN, of Phelps Memorial Oncology.
While VanBoening spends her days caring for oncology patients, her remarks focused on a deeply personal experience: her son Landon’s battle with cancer.
She shared how what began as lingering back pain following a football injury eventually led to a devastating diagnosis of an aggressive form of testicular cancer at just 14 years old.
“The next week was a blur,” VanBoening told attendees. “CT scans, appointments, surgery, and waiting. So much waiting.”
Throughout her presentation, VanBoening spoke candidly about the fear and uncertainty her family faced as Landon underwent surgery and chemotherapy while continuing to navigate the everyday realities of being a teenager.
Yet woven throughout her story was a message of faith and hope.
Drawing inspiration from Romans 5:1-5, a scripture passage that became an anchor for her family during treatment, VanBoening described the many “miracles in the mess” they experienced along the way.
She spoke about moments of unexpected peace, answered prayers, remarkable recoveries, and the support they received from family, friends, teammates, healthcare providers, and their community.
One particularly emotional moment came as she recalled looking out a window at Omaha’s Ronald McDonald House during one of Landon’s hospital stays.
As tears streamed down her face on a cold winter day, she watched three little birds moving through the bare trees outside. She thought about how, in the coming weeks, God would care for the birds, the trees, and the grass until they looked completely different. If He was going to care for them that much, He would also care for her son.
“That’s when I knew our boy was going to be okay,” she said.
VanBoening also praised the oncology teams who cared for Landon throughout his treatment in Omaha and the staff at Phelps Memorial Health Center.
Anyone who has experienced cancer understands that treatment involves far more than medicine. It requires courage, perseverance, faith, and the support of countless individuals. For many in attendance, VanBoening’s story reflected parts of their own experiences.
Her message served as a powerful reminder that while every cancer journey is different, hope, faith, and support from others can make even the most difficult days easier to face.
Three months after telling his parents about the mass, Landon rang the bell at Phelps Memorial Oncology, celebrating the completion of his final chemotherapy treatment.
“But that isn’t what happened. He developed a cough that continued to get worse. He was eventually diagnosed with a rare fungal pneumonia in both lungs.”
After months of treatment, setbacks, complications, and waiting, Landon was ultimately declared cancer-free and pneumonia-free. Today, nearly a year later, he has returned to the activities he loves and continues to inspire those around him.
As her presentation concluded, VanBoening left attendees with a message that resonated throughout the room.
“We live in a very broken world, and unfortunately cancer is a very real part of too many people’s lives,” she said.
“But when we lean into God during our suffering, He helps us build endurance, character, and a hope that cannot be shaken.”
The evening served as a reminder that while every cancer journey is unique, no one walks it alone.
As the event concluded, Community Relations and Foundation Coordinator Keri Berry thanked attendees for allowing Phelps Memorial Health Center to be part of their journeys.
“Thank you for your strength, your courage, your hope, and for allowing us to celebrate with you tonight,” Berry said. “Cancer affects every family in some way, but evenings like this remind us that none of us walk alone in our journey.”
Phelps Memorial Health Center hosts the annual Cancer Survivors Celebration as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the region. The event provides an opportunity to celebrate milestones, build connections, and honor the strength of those whose lives have been touched by cancer.
