Sunday June, 3, marked the 20th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. Last Tuesday in Windham, a group mostly comprised of cancer survivors met on the upper floor of the Maine Bean Bakehouse & Deli for a monthly cancer support group meeting.

“This isn’t a pity party, and I wouldn’t come here if it was,” said Jean. She and several other members of the group did not wish to have their last names used.

A casual observer would mistake the meeting for a girls-night-out, not a support group for a life-threatening illness. The eight women share stories, anecdotes and laughter over a table of salads and confections for an hour and a half one night a month.

“This shows you that there’s life after cancer, and there’s life with cancer,” said Kim, a registered nurse who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Jean told a story about being in the hospital and a flower arrangement that was meant for her ended up going to bedside of a man who had her same first and last name.

“Maybe he was meant to get those flowers,” Kim offered.

“Well, I hope he enjoyed them,” Jean shot back with mock anger.

“Until you come here, you have no idea what it’s going to be like,” said Amy, who could pass for a fashion model. She has had Hodgkin’s disease since childhood.

“We only meet once a month, but for me, that’s enough to get through,” she said.

Some members like Rachel, whose wrist is wrapped with a charm bracelet with a pink ribbon dangling freely, said they feel uncomfortable telling their family members about treatment complications or general discomforts surrounding their illness.

“They get too worried and carried away,” she said. The group members call or e-mail one another when these problems arise and say they like having someone to talk to who’s been through the same things.

With the exception of Amy, all the other group members have or have had breast cancer. The members said the group welcomes anyone who wishes to join, including men.

Jeanne Curtin, of Windham, formed the group last September and received $200 from the Sebago Lake Rotary Club to pay for food during the meetings. She said she has not had cancer herself but felt inspired to get involved after interviewing local cancer patients as a reporter.

“I meant to start this and walk away,” she said. She meant to pass group leadership over to Amy but found the meetings too “addictive” to let go.

“I know that if I ever do get cancer, I’ll get through it,” said Curtin.

Cancergroup1: From left: Amy, Jean and Rachel discuss life, family, and occasionally cancer over plates of salad and desserts at the Windham Cancer Support Group once a month.Cancergroup2: Clockwise from left: Amy, Jean, Rachel, Dottie and Kim discuss life, family, and occasionally cancer over plates of salad and desserts at the Windham Cancer Support Group once a month.Cancergroup3: Windham Cancer Support Group member Pattie wears a number of support bracelets on her risk. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.