Cancer survivor speaks of hope
Published 11:01 pm Saturday, October 20, 2012
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Carolyn Dunbar, a former teacher at Pungo Christian Academy, shares her experience with cancer as she encourages PCA students to keep a positive attitude and to get involved in raising money for cancer research. (Submitted Photo/Pungo Christian Academy)
The day before the 2012 Hyde County Relay for Life kicked off, cancer survivor Carolyn Dunbar of Scranton shared her cancer experience with Pungo Christian Academy’s sixth through 12th graders and the faculty at the regular Friday chapel. In spite of losing her husband, Jimmy, to cancer in 2009 and battling cancer twice in the 10 years after her first diagnosis in 2002, Dunbar said she considered herself very blessed. She went on to state, “Part of that happy or peaceful feeling is because I chose to go that route [to feel blessed] rather than roll in self pity.”
Dunbar reminded the students that positive words ease relationships and create an atmosphere of peace that is conducive to rest, relaxation and rejuvenation — all of which are necessary for good health. She told the students, “Positive words and thoughts actually make us healthier!”
Dunbar said that one of her purposes in coming to PCA was to provide encouragement for any of the students or faculty who need it.
She shared two of the issues in her life that have increased in importance in the last 10 years: Her faith in God and her desire to work for a cure for cancer. She encouraged the students to get involved in Relay for Life and help fight to find a cure for the demon, cancer. PCA students, faculty and families participated in the Hyde County Relay for Life on Sept. 15 and 16. The group has sponsored several projects to raise money for this worthy cause, cancer research.