A Night Free From Labels: Ballet gala Offers Cancer Survivor a Return to Her Past
A recent gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ballet Excel Ohio provided one attendee a rare and liberating evening – a chance to be remembered simply as the dancer she once was, not defined by her journey as a breast cancer survivor.
The story began in 1976, when a 13-year-old joined The Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet in Akron, Ohio.For four years, she immersed herself in the world of dance, with a especially memorable role as one of the hunters in “Peter and the Wolf.” The company, founded by Nan klinger, was more than just a training ground; it was a community that fostered a love for the art form.
“What was so nice about it was that the party was populated by people from my distant past, none of whom knew about my struggles with two bouts of breast cancer,” she recalled. For a single night, she was simply “Laurie Yeager, a kid from Akron who used to dance,” a welcome respite from being defined by her health challenges. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011,with a recurrence in 2016.
The experience highlighted the power of reclaiming one’s identity beyond illness. While she didn’t disclose her medical history, she happily shared her life as a writing teacher and writer, and spoke of her son’s recent entry into collage. this freedom from the “cancer label” proved profoundly liberating, reminding her of the carefree joy she experienced as a child immersed in the arts.
her artistic journey extended beyond ballet. She graced the stage in local theater productions, portraying characters like “Baby June” in Gypsy and “Sprintze” in Fiddler on the Roof. She also honed her musical skills as a violinist in local youth orchestras, even revisiting Fiddler on the Roof years later – this time as the “Fiddler” herself.
Despite her diverse artistic pursuits, none felt like the perfect fit. A childhood dream of becoming a Rockette was dashed by a mere five inches in height. It wasn’t until age 15, while taking Creative Writing with Mr. Robert Stitt at Cuyahoga Falls High School, that she discovered her true calling.
“Something clicked,” she stated, describing the transformative experience. Mr. Stitt’s encouragement led to private tutoring and a writing assignment that resulted in a short story, “Al,” about a beloved school janitor.The story earned her an honorable mention in Seventeen’s Fiction Contest, accompanied by a $50 prize – a significant sum for a teenager in the 1970s.
This early success ignited a lifelong passion for writing. Over the decades, she pursued three writing degrees, amassed hundreds of published works, and dedicated 40 years to teaching the craft. Writing became her lifeline, a crucial outlet for processing the emotional toll of her cancer diagnoses. While a novel remains on her to-do list, she has maintained a blog for nearly a decade, chronicling her experiences with cancer.
“I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have writing to voice my feelings about living with this issue,” she admitted.”Writing is my art form.I’m so glad I have the pen and its power in my wheelhouse.”
The Ballet Excel Ohio gala served as a poignant reminder of a simpler time, a time before cancer and pain. It was a chance to reconnect with her past and rediscover the joy of being simply herself. Life inevitably brings challenges, but as she reflects, she is grateful for the ability to navigate those challenges through the power of her writing.
She made it through and lived to write about it. what more could I ask for?
This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective as a breast cancer survivor. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider. For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.
