Duncanville High School’s PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) and CTE (Career Technical Education) programs are going to team up to host a special event dedicated to the cancer survivors of Duncanville Jan. 12. They will be holding a Cancer Survivor Dinner in the east cafeteria from 6:30-7:30pm. This event will take a moment to recognize people from all walks of life who have been affected by this disease.

The idea for this event was originally thought of by PTSA members Shalontae Payne and Gloria Lockhart. Lockhart has had first-hand experience with the disease and the effects it creates on people. She’s had very loved ones who she’s had to see go through this.

“My sister died of cancer,” PTSA Vice President Gloria Lockhart said. “My brother is currently living and he’s had cancer. But he’s finished treatment and he’s cancer free for right now. My uncle is in the hospital right now with it as well. So it’s touched me personally because I have relatives that have died and some are surviving still.”

After hearing the tragic news of some recent diagnosis, they felt that this subject should get some attention. Understanding what these cancer survivors and their families are going through, Lockhart felt it was important for to hold this event.

“People in the Duncanville district have been recently diagnosed with cancer,” Lockhart said. “and so it’s hit so many people from elementary school kids to adults. So we wanted to do something that would give back to those people.”

People from all over the community will be attending this event including Duncanville ISD administrators and cancer survivors in the city of Duncanville. Lockhart is hoping that all of these people can take something good from this event.

“Our objective is to first reach out,” Lockhart said. “You know; everybody is struggling with different things. But that’s one thing we’re trying to do, and that’s to let our community know that we care, and how much we care about them. We also want them to know that they’re not struggling with this dreadful disease by themselves, they’re not alone.”

Along with a dinner, this event will have some resources available for people who may be or may know someone who may have with cancer.

“These resources should be of assistance if they are going through treatment and have various questions so we will have something to give to them, so that they can get their questions answered,” Lockhart said. “American Cancer Society will be there. They will be available to answer any questions people might have.”

If you would like to attend this event, please RSVP to Rocio Green at 972.708.3707 or via email at [email protected]. The last day to RSVP is Tuesday, January 10^th.