Lymphoma Cancer Survivor John Martin of Hillsboro Celebrates Life at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® Midwestern Regional Medical Center

ZION, IL (June 10, 2011) – John Martin, a lymphoma cancer survivor, attended  Celebrate Life^® 2011 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America^® (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center (Midwestern) -- an inspirational and extraordinary celebration of five years of cancer survivorship.

Martin, 60, of Hillsboro, MO and nearly 100 other five-year survivors were joined by doctors, hospital administrators, clinical team members, caregivers and family members for a tree-planting ceremony, a luncheon and reception, and a Celebrate Life 2011 Survivorship Ceremony.

CTCA at Midwestern planted 204 trees in Lake County, Illinois adding to what has fast become a thriving forest where one tree has been planted for every CTCA five-year cancer survivor.

The celebrants’ luncheon included delicious gourmet offerings of natural and organic foods, which are a critical part of the CTCA patient treatment protocol.  White doves were released at the conclusion of the event to commemorate each year of cancer-fighting survival. 

Martin was diagnosed with lymphoma seven years ago. Martin was interested in a comprehensive treatment plan; one that included nutrition, something that wasn’t offered at the hospital in St. Louis. Martin saw a TV commercial for CTCA and decided to call and make an appointment.

Martin met with his hematologist/oncologist, Istvan Redei, MD, director of the stem cell transplant and cell therapy program at CTCA at Midwestern, who explained and discussed Martin’s options with him. After starting chemotherapy, Martin’s counts dropped a great deal.

“I had a lot of support when I came to CTCA. I was very pleased with the nutrition department and what they had to offer,” says Martin who took full advantage of the integrated treatment options provided at CTCA, including nutritional and naturopathic support.

“The people that work here always remember your name. They are so personable – I never saw anyone with a frown. They gave me so much hope,” says Martin.

“Being a survivor has helped me to have a better outlook on life. I have started eating healthier. It has also influenced my family to eat healthier,” says Martin. He is now very aware of his health – exercising more often and eating more fruits and vegetables. “I am feeling very healthy and have lost 25-30 pounds,” Martin adds.

With the support of his care team and his co-workers, Martin was able to continue working throughout treatment as a parts manufacturer on heavy construction equipment. At home, Martin enjoys spending time with his wife of 40 years, gardening, hunting, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

“I want to help others and let people that have cancer now that there is hope,” says Martin.

 “At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, cancer patients and their families benefit from a fully integrated, personalized cancer treatment experience called Patient Empowered Care^SM, which includes state-of the art treatment protocols and complementary therapies delivered by an Empowerment Team of cancer experts,” said Anne Meisner, president and CEO at CTCA at Midwestern.  “We empower our patients to take control of their cancer, and we treat each patient as though they are a member of our own family.  We are extremely proud of our celebrants and honored to acknowledge and celebrate their journey and continued success,” she added.

CTCA at Midwestern is also celebrating the launch of its new 7-Day Clinic, and its receipt of the 2011 HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™.  A true innovation in patient care, the new 7-Day Clinic was created in response to patient demand.  It provides busy cancer patients access to their medical oncologist and treatment protocols from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  CTCA at Midwestern is the only cancer hospital in Illinois to offer weekend clinical services.  Also, CTCA at Midwestern is one of only 15 recipients in Illinois and 339 nationwide to receive the prestigious 2011 HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award. It is the second consecutive year that CTCA at Midwestern has been nationally recognized with the honor.

About Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Founded in 1988, Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) is a network of cancer treatment hospitals and community oncology programs in Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Washington – with a future location in Atlanta, Georgia.  CTCA provides a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment model that fully integrates conventional, state-of-the-art medical treatments with scientifically-supported complementary therapies such as nutrition, naturopathic medicine, psychological counseling, physical therapy and spiritual support to meet the special, whole-person needs of cancer patients with complex and advanced-stage disease.  CTCA encourages patients and their families to participate in treatment decisions through its Patient Empowerment Medicine^SM model.  For more information about Cancer Treatment Centers of America, go to cancercenter.com.