SALISBURY — As part of the Ladies Night Out, held Oct. 10 at F&M Trolley Barn and sponsored by Novant Health, Greystone Salon and Spa and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, three local breast cancer survivors were recognized and honored.

Kristen Reavis, Novant Health community engagement, said that during this event, they “really focus this on our breast cancer awareness event. 

She also pointed out the donation being collected that evening goes to the Novant Health Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation Breast Health Fund. Reavis said this fund helps those who have financial burdens be able to receive breast health services just like everyone else.

A time to highlight the three breast cancer survivors who underwent treatment at the Wallace Cancer Institute followed during which time, these survivors “get to come out and show off and tell their story, their testimony through their journey,” said Reavis.

The three survivors, Chelsea McVay, Dayna Knight and Mary Ponds, each received a makeover from Greystone, plus new wardrobes from Anna Craig boutique and Oxford+Lee clothing store.

“This is an honor to be able to do this for these women, these survivors,” said Sheila Igo, the owner of Greystone Salon and Spa.

Noting they have been able to bless these women for many years, she said, “A lot of these women have never experienced spa days, and we absolutely had a great time with them, manicures, pedicures, lashes.”

As each lady was introduced, a special song was played and applause and cheers erupted as they made their entrance and went onstage.

Elaine Spalding, president of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, read the stories for McVay and Knight as they stood alongside her, and Ponds shared her story herself.

In each testimony, the emotions of first learning they had cancer were revealed and messages of gratitude were expressed for those who helped and supported them along their journeys.

McVay’s story began with her diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, found on Jan. 24 at the age of 31 at which time she thought, “this can’t be happening to me. I’m healthy and raising two small children.”

At the time of her diagnosis, McVay shared that she “felt a whirlwind of emotions — fear, uncertainty and disbelief” but in the midst of the chaos, she said she also discovered “a resilience” within herself that she “never knew existed.”

McVay realized that she was not alone, sharing that she had family, friends, co-workers and a community that surrounded her with love and support.

She said a thank you to the staff at the Wallace Cancer Institute “in guiding me through this journey,” Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, who “quite literally saved my life,” and that their “expertise, knowledge and compassion were vital in helping me reclaim my life and the reason I am standing here today.”  

McVay also thanked Greystone and Anna Craig for their generosity.

Her last comment, which brought lots of applause and cheers, were the words “cancer-free,” which she said she was officially declared on Aug. 20.

The second name to be announced was Dayna Knight who was also diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. She received this diagnosis of the cancer, stage 3A, grade 3, on July 28, 2023 when she was 58.

Hearing the words that she said “no one ever wants to hear, there’s a mass and I’m pretty sure it’s cancer, rocked my world.” 

Knight said her first thoughts were her family and how she would tell them.

Learning about biopsies, scans, chemo, radiation and other things she had never known about before was a lot to absorb, she said, so she did lots of reading, listened to her doctors and joined groups with others who have experienced the same thing.

“Even though it was the hardest journey of my life, I know that God was with me all the way,” said Knight. “I’ve had so many blessings along the way.”

She recounted those blessings noting first her husband Mitch, her daughter, son and daughter-in-law, mom, sisters and friends who walked with her and supported her along the way and prayed for her.

“The prayers and support meant more than I could ever put into words,” Knight said.

She expressed gratitude for those at Novant Health and the Wallace Cancer Institute, and everyone who medically helped her from her doctors, nurses, medical technicians, front desk and insurance, telling them they have her heart and you rock.

“The cancer center here in Rowan County is a gem,“ she said. “I hope none of you need to find out, but if you do, trust me, you are in the best of hands.”

Following her treatment plan of chemo, a lumpectomy, radiation and Keytruda infusions, her treatment protocol was complete and on Sept. 3, she could say she was done.

“I am so grateful and give God the glory,” Knight said.

She concluded with thanks to all who generously gave their time and services to pamper each of them and said, “they have been amazing.”

The third cancer survivor to share, Mary Ponds, said that her diagnosis and journey began on April 22 and said when she heard the news, “it was devastating, something I did not expect.”

At the age of 80, Ponds said she had never had any health problems and knew there would be something in her life she would have to fight, “but I never thought I would fight cancer.”

But then she told the crowd that she was fighting cancer and winning with cancer telling that she had finished her chemo with very few side effects and had now begun radiation.

Noting her support team of family and friends who have called, texted and helped her on this journey, she said, “I’m going to fight like there’s never been a fight before because I know that I have the support that I need.”

Ponds said one doesn’t know what life will throw their way, but, she said, “we do know who fights our battles and I want you to know that my God, our God, is fighting my battle each and every day.”

She thanked God for His goodness and for the journey “because I know that my journey is a journey of success.”

At one time, Ponds said, cancer used to be looked upon as death, but that’s not true anymore, telling that God has helped us to get to a point where the facilities and doctors and nurses are very well equipped.

Ponds concluded with words of thanks for the cancer center, which she said “is one of the greatest gifts that we have that we can offer our residents in Rowan County.”

She thanked all who work at the center who she said receives you as a survivor and not a cancer patient.

Thanks were also given to the chamber for this opportunity and those who provided the pampering and the new outfits.

“This is the best place in the world to live,” Ponds said, “so thank you.”

Twenty-two vendors participated at the Ladies Night Out, including booths providing women’s health education.

“It started small and it’s just evolved into a big women’s event, highlighting our breast cancer survivors,” said Reavis.

Spalding said this is one of the most meaningful events they do throughout the year.

“To hear their story I think is very inspirational for anyone else who ever had any sort of health issues,” she said, “and it’s just a wonderful, wonderful event.”