Cancer Survivors Park

Seven years ago, three survivors set out on a mission. A mission to bring a Cancer Survivors Park to Memphis. Those survivors were Stephanie Wiles Kelly, Jane Williams and Sandy Patterson. Thanks to an $850,000 grant from the R.A. Bloch Foundation, the park will open in the fall of 2004.

In 1978, Richard Bloch was diagnosed with cancer and given three months to live. Today, he and wife Annette are granting funds for parks that will encourage, inspire and celebrate survivorship. Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Parks are being developed in cities across the country. Our park will be located on two acres of land in Audubon Park across from Theatre Memphis making it the 19th park in the nation to be funded. It will be magnificent for the people, the community and the donors. What a gift!

Each park is totally unique reflecting the flavor of the city and complementing the environment. The selected design is headed by the team of Dianne Dixon, Kristi Duckworth and Mike Lemm. Speaking for the group, Lemm said, "Our hope is the park will be a shared healing landscape; one which will embody the collective voice of survivors for others; always speaking of hope, love, joy, peace, healing, and surviving."

The park will include a labyrinth and a garden with plantings to attract the migration of butterflies. Labyrinths and mazes are often confused. A maze, with its many paths, entrances and dead ends, is designed to make us lose our way. The labyrinth has only one path and is designed to help us find our way. It is used as a tool for focused walks, prayer, contemplation and exercise. The butterfly is a symbol for transformation signifying hope. It begins its journey as a caterpillar, turns into a chrysalis, and must struggle before emerging as a beautifully delicate winged creature.

Three elements common to all of the parks include: 1) A massive sculpture created by Mexican Sculptor Victor Salmones which will act as the focal point. It consists of eight life-size figures passing through a maze depicting the cancer journey. It will be placed at the most visible point of the park. People will be able to move among the figures and through the piece. 2) A "Positive Mental Attitude Walk" containing fourteen plaques - four of which are inspirational and ten containing suggestions for fighting cancer. 3) A "Road to Recovery" which consists of seven plaques explaining what cancer is and some actions to take to overcome the disease.

The perfect site had to be a centrally located easily recognized area that would be deemed as 'safe' for those wishing to walk in the evening. It had to be a demographically neutral location that would serve all segments of the population equally. And it had to be a location unto itself and not a small part of a major complex. The ideal size would be somewhere between ½ - 2 ½ acres.

Seven years ago, three survivors set out on a mission. A mission to bring a park to Memphis that would inspire and encourage those touched by cancer. During those seven years, Stephanie Wiles Kelly and Jane Williams lost their battles with cancer. At the park dedication in the fall of 2004, Sandy Patterson may be the only one of the three in attendance, but she knows that Stephanie and Jane will be there.

This article first appeared in the Wings Cancer Foundation newsletter.  For information on how you can make this dream a reality please contact Park Friends.

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