The Sparrow Regional Cancer Center is sponsoring its seventh annual National Cancer Survivors Day on Saturday. The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Patriarche Park.
The event, which includes refreshments and entertainment, is open to cancer survivors, their families and anyone else who the disease has affected.
Some of the highlights include a program during which local survivors will speak, a tree rededication in honor of survivors and recognition for the cancer “survivors of the year.”
Sharolyn Gonzalez, Sparrow’s oncology outreach manager, said the “survivors of the year” have been nominated by members of the community and have gone “above and beyond” the call of duty.
“It’s a family event,” said Lori Brochu, Capital Area Service Center’s community development director. “We’re expecting a big turnout. It’s like a little picnic.”
Capital Area Service Center is a local office of the Great Lakes Division of the American Cancer Society.
Gonzalez, who is also the chairperson of the organizing committee, said the event averages about 200 people per year. Brochu said 300 to 400 people have attended in the past.
In addition to local speakers and local organizations’ information booths, there will be a “coping area.” Here, survivors will display anything that has helped them cope with the disease.
“We’ve had poetry, photographs and artwork there,” Gonzalez said. “(The coping area) is a display of anything (the survivors) have that’s helped them.”
Sharon Greenhoe, area executive director of Capital Area Service Center, said in addition to cancer survivors, newly diagnosed patients come to the event.
“People go because it gives them hope,” Greenhoe said. “It even gives hope to those people that haven’t been diagnosed.”
Greenhoe also said the event provides a chance to talk with people from past Survivors Days to catch up with them and see how they’re doing.
“It’s really a wonderful celebration of life,” she said. “(The day) gives hope and, to a lesser extent, allows networking amongst survivors.”
