Second Wyoming Weekend of Hope coming to Powell May 29-30Last year, Jena Zink attended the Wyoming Weekend of Hope as a photographer. Weeks after hearing doctors speak about cancer, Zink was diagnosed with the disease.“When I went to the Weekend of Hope, I was just going to help my mom by taking pictures — not thinking it would directly affect me,” she said.

Zink's mother, Anita LaFleiche, is one of the organizers for Weekend of Hope, an event that features stories of cancer survivors and expertise of doctors.

Shortly after she returned to her Chicago home after last year's event, Zink set up an appointment with her general physician. Her husband, John, had been laid off, and the couple wanted to use their healthcare benefits while they had them.

During a physical, the doctor noticed a mole on her stomach that was abnormally-dark in color.

“To me, it just looked like a mole,” Zink said. “It wasn't one that you'd look at and think it looks suspicious.”

A dermatologist took a biopsy of it and sent it to a lab. A few days later, he called with the results: Zink had an aggressive form of skin cancer.

Cancer.

It's a diagnosis that leaves millions of Americans reeling each year. In their search for answers, some may find despair.

“You can go online — it will scare you to death,” said Louise Garvin, a cancer survivor. “They will give you the worst-case scenario.”

Rather than gloom, Garvin and other Weekend of Hope organizers want to communicate hope during the second annual Wyoming Weekend of Hope, taking place May 29-30 at Northwest College.

“There is hope,” Garvin said. “It's really to benefit those people who really need encouragement.”

Doctors will speak at the weekend and answer questions during roundtable discussions.

Garvin said the event has evolved from last year's schedule.

“We were inventing the wheel last year,” she said. “For this year, we found out what people want and what they don't want.”

Organizers found that those in attendance wanted the information, encouragement and resources the weekend provided, but not as many of the additional activities — such as river rafting or antiquing.

In addition to physicians discussing healthcare, the weekend includes entertainment with area musicians, a banquet and a financial consultant who will address asset protection.

“When you get cancer, it can take all of your money,” Garvin said.

While organizers want to provide resources as well as hope, Zink wants the entire community to realize the importance of early diagnosis.

Fortunately for Zink, her cancer was found before it spread throughout her body. Doctors told her that if it hadn't been diagnosed, it would have been fatal within a year.

“By the time there would have been signs, it would have been too late,” she said.

Because of early diagnosis, however, it was treated and Zink didn't have to undergo radiation or chemotherapy.

“Early detection is so vital,” Zink said.

As a skin cancer survivor, she also encourages sunscreen use. A bad sunburn as a child can manifest as cancer 40 years down the road.

“When I grew up, people didn't really use sunscreen,” she said.

Zink hopes her story of early detection inspires others.

“If one person reads this and thinks, ‘It's time to get checked out,' then it's worth it,” she said.

Zink, a photographer who is now a stay-at-home mom for her 8-year-old son, Ethan, said cancer also changed her perspective as a mother.

“If anything, there was this realization that he could be without a mother if I hadn't taken care of it,” she said.

Zink added that those who may not be directly affected by cancer currently might benefit from attending the weekend.

“Who knows what you or someone you know will go through in one year, or 10 years, from now?” Zink asked.