HERRIN - It's not often that the consolation prize outweighs the grand prize.

As enticing as a gift basket may be, Ron Mattison, medical director of the Breast Center in Carbondale, said he couldn't help but notice that even those who were not selected survivor of the year had something to boast about: They beat cancer. Southern Illinois Healthcare's Cancer Care Services presented the event celebrating Cancer Star Survivors Friday night at the Herrin Civic Center.

"People who survive and live life to the fullest - we should celebrate those people," Mattison said. "Everyone's a winner, really."

But awards were given for Cancer Star Survivor, Star Cancer Advocate and Star Youth Cancer Survivor of the Year. Toni Eggemeyer, a survivor of stage four base of the tongue cancer and caregiver to her husband, who is fighting stage four colon cancer, was named Survivor of the Year.

Eggemeyer said she was shocked and happy to win the award but remained humble.

"I think other people may be more deserving," Eggemeyer said.

She was nominated by her daughter, Amy, who said in her nomination letter that her "love, faith, friendship, courage, strength and her spirit provide us with a foundation that we can only hope to achieve ourselves."

Donna Crow, breast health patient navigator at the Breast Center, was awarded the Star Cancer Advocate title. Crow said she felt "overwhelmed, blessed and thankful" for an award for a job that didn't feel like work at all.

"I'm just happy to be able to be in the position I'm in and work with women and families and help them through breast cancer," Crow said.

Crow has assisted more than 250 women with breast cancer through diagnosis and treatment. She has also taught more than 500 women the importance of a monthly breast exam.

Matthew Williams, 10, survived a grade three brain tumor and 33 radiation treatments to win the award for Star Youth Cancer Survivor. Williams' community involvement since the diagnosis includes participating in Relay for Life and organizing a class project to collect coloring books and crayons for children at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Williams was not the event because of a prior commitment to playing baseball.

Mattison said honoring all the survivors is necessary and said it is fulfilling to see the people who are fighting their diagnosis dance and enjoy themselves.

"It's just nice to see all the people who have been through such trauma and can put it behind them and come out and have a good time," Mattison said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

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