Everyone loves a good story, but ask any cancer survivor and they’ll tell you their cancer story doesn’t end when treatment does. Once a survivor leaves the cocoon of her medical care, she feels cast adrift with no safety net. There is no Humpty Dumpty moment when all the pieces of her life are put back together, rebuilding the person she once was. Rather, she finds herself still dragging the carcass of their illness behind them.
There are myriad emotional and physical issues that arise in survivorship. But most of all, survivors struggle with making sense of their journey and finding its purpose. The stories of women cancer survivors’ second acts deserve to be heard.
A 2nd Act: Survivorship Takes the Stage is a live, curated stage performance, featuring a cast of 10 women survivors of all types of cancers, local to the city in which the show is being held. Professionally produced, each woman shares her own story of how she’s using her post-diagnosis gifts of time and experience for the greater good.
The size of a 2nd Act doesn’t matter.
The doing does. This stage show concept was the brainchild of our friend and beautiful survivor, Joanna Montgomery. Sadly, her 2nd Act ended in July 2015, following a return of her cancer. But we are honored to continue her vision and passion for sharing survivors’ 2nd Acts.
Every performance of A 2nd Act: Survivorship Takes the Stage accomplishes 3 important goals:
1. It celebrates the breath-taking courage of the participants on stage.
2. It motivates the audience to create their own 2nd Acts, regardless of what their life challenge may be.
The stories these women share from the stage inspire in ways no self-help book ever could.
3. It raises funds for grants to women survivors, allowing them to follow their dreams, give back to the world and honor their cancer journeys.
Don’t miss the inaugural Valley of the Sun performance of A 2nd Act: Survivorship Takes the Stage on Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. at Mesa Arts Center.
Featured will be: Cat Bendure, a breast cancer survivor who left her high powered corporate career to follow her dreams of becoming an author and dog trainer.
Melinda Montoya, abreast cancer survivor whose students and their parents paved the way for her recovery. Now, she returns the favor to society by volunteering.
Bekah Parker, a Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor whose students at an autism school inspired her cancer journey.
For tickets, click here.
