Copperas Cove honors cancer survivors with city proclamation

Copperas Cove used Cancer Survivor Day to spotlight something far bigger than a ceremonial proclamation: cancer care for many Coryell County families still runs through Killeen, where screening, treatment and support services are clustered. AdventHealth Central Texas and Baylor Scott & White marked the day with a public event that centered survivors, caregivers and patients still in treatment, while city leaders used the moment to recognize how much the community relies on regional medical networks.

Mayor Pro Tem Vonya Hart read a proclamation saying Mayor Dan Yancey had signed a city declaration naming June 1, 2026 as Cancer Survivor Day in Copperas Cove. Rob Howe, director of operations for hematology and oncology at the Killeen Cancer Center, told attendees that cancer care reaches beyond scans, surgery and chemotherapy and depends on the people around each patient. Dr. Ayesha Sheikh, the center’s medical director, framed survivorship in personal terms, pointing to the relatives and friends who keep appointments, drive patients to treatment and carry the worry that often goes unseen.

For patients in Copperas Cove and across Coryell County, the practical question is where to go next. AdventHealth Central Texas in Killeen offers cancer care, surgery and medical imaging, and it lets patients schedule screening mammograms through MyChart. The hospital also runs community outreach programs with health screenings, support groups, free health education and financial assistance. AdventHealth says it also has an open-access colonoscopy program, allowing patients to schedule a colonoscopy without a prior consultation.

Baylor Scott & White’s Cancer Center in Killeen gives Coryell County residents another regional option for oncology care. The health system says nurse navigators help patients and caregivers sort through decisions, emotions and resources, including nutrition, mental health support and survivorship planning. Baylor Scott & White also offers financial assistance, uninsured discounts and extended, interest-free payment plans for those who qualify, while AdventHealth says no one will be denied access to services because of inability to pay, though patients must still verify income and insurance details. For families in Copperas Cove, the challenge is not only finding care, but lining up the appointments, the drive into Killeen and the paperwork that often comes with treatment.