Cancer Survivor Heals with the Power of Her Words

Violet Wightman left her family a priceless gift, her words. She was 91 years old when she stepped into he first journalism class at Fullerton College.

While her classmates took similar courses to help advance their careers, she had the dream to see her words in print before cancer consumed her.

With the help of Professor Julie Davey, Whightman's dream was about to come true. She taught Davey the valuable lesson of "how writing can provide comfort after tragedy and illness and even create peace of mind when the end of life is near."

Wightman's story is one example of the many in Davey's book "Writing for Wellness: A Prescription for Healing."

Davey is a former Fullerton College journalism professor and two-time cancer survivor.

She started her Writing for Wellness classes shortly after her treatment at the City of Hope, in an effort to give back to cancer patients and her community.

"In her [Writing for Wellness] classes she does the same thing she did here at Fullerton College. She inspires, she motivates, she listens, she cares and she really holds your hand through the toughest of times," said Vivianne Wightman, Violet Wightman's granddaughter, journalism instructor at FC who is a former student of Davey's.

In her classes, Davey shares her experiences through her writing. In her book she goes more in-depth and shows examples of what her students wrote on the same topic and asks the reader to start writing on the subject.

"I have discovered first hand that when people write about tragedies in their lives, they feel better," Davey writes in her book.

Although some students begin the class unsure about their writing, according to Davey "participants describe feeling relieved and even being able to cope with chemotherapy and radiation treatments because of it."

In addition to writing, Davey finds food to be comforting and makes sure to bring food items to those in her classes. "It is my gift to them," Davey said, "Many times people that say they weren't really hungry, eat."

Cancer patients, their families, doctors, nurses, caregivers and others who have not dealt with cancer but share the need to heal, fill Davey's bi-weekly classes.

"As I followed professor Davey's writing classes, I have seen the power of words, used as precise tools, even weapons by patients in their battle against cancer," wrote Lucille A. Leong, MD, Associate Director of Clinical Affairs at City of Hope, in the books foreword.

Davey has been recognized for her work and has also received numerous accolades. She was given the Heart of Hope award for her volunteer work at the City of Hope as Survivor of the Year.

She continues teaching those in need and now those that want to give back.

"Those people that have been cured of cancer, caregiver or staff member at the City of Hope are coming back to learn how to do this," Davey said.

They use the teachers guide which she created and observe a few of Davey's lessons to gain enough experience and knowledge to spread the healing power of words.

Davey writes that she "hopes to inspire others to start Writing for Wellness classes in small towns and large cities everywhere."

There are places in Orange County that are using this method of therapy and places around the country are using the book for classes.

A hospital in Phoenix and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle will soon begin Writing for Wellness classes as well.

"I am so pleased, you never know, you write something down on paper, you don't know what's going to happen," Davey said. "It's really a dream come true."