BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

Iredell Health System teamed up with the Statesville Owls to recognize local cancer survivors during Saturday night’s baseball game at West Iredell High School.

The game against the High Point Locos got rained out in the fourth inning, but that didn’t dampen the feeling of hopefulness by many who attended the game.

Shellie Brown, assistant director of radiation therapy for Iredell Health System, said the purpose of the game night was to celebrate survivors and their caregivers.

“You can be a survivor and celebrate the journey with others like you,” she said.

Treva Miller, a seven-year breast cancer survivor and the founder of “Divas Fighting Like Girls,” encouraged the crowd to “never give up hope.”

Her uplifting message brought the crowd to cheers.

“You’re more than a survivor,” she said. “You’re a winner.”

She also helps bring light to others diagnosed with cancer by providing snacks and transportation assistance.

“My message is to live life while you can live it because you don’t know how long you get to have it,” Miller said. “I tell them to put on their big girl panties and fight because once it gets up here (head) you give up.”

Maggie Hurst’s wife Susan is also a seven-year survivor of breast cancer. She acknowledged the struggle of caregivers and gave some advice.

“It’s hard, and you have to be supportive and understanding of what your spouse is going through,” she said.

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