Advocate Sherman to host National Cancer Survivors Day
National Cancer Survivors Day is Sunday, June 4, 2017. This unique celebration will mark the 30th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. Thousands of people in hundreds of communities across the globe will hold celebrations on this day to honor cancer survivors and to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be fruitful, rewarding, and even inspiring.
Advocate Sherman Hospital is hosting a Cancer Survivor Day on Monday, June 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. to commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day and all survivors and their support base are welcome. It will be held at the hospital's outpatient Cancer Care Center, attached to the hospital at 1425 N. Randall Road, Elgin.
"Life after cancer treatment is more than just surviving. It can be abundant and fulfilling. And that's something to celebrate," says Dr. C. Yeshwant, Medical Oncologist & Hematologist, and Cancer Committee Chairman with Advocate Sherman Hospital. "Our hospital's National Cancer Survivors Day celebration is meant to create a safe atmosphere that is filled with hope, camaraderie, and compassion as we acknowledge our community's cancer survivors. We also recognize the contributions of their families, friends, and healthcare providers, plus raising awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by cancer survivors today."
Advocate Sherman Hospital's celebration will be baseball themed and will include picnic treats, Pink Heals firemen, photo booth, and more.
Anyone living with a history of cancer - from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life - is a cancer survivor, per the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. In the United States alone, there are more than 14.5 million people living with a history of cancer.
Major advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment have resulted in longer survival, and therefore, a growing number of cancer survivors. However, a cancer diagnosis can leave a host of problems in its wake. Physical, financial, and emotional hardships often persist for years after diagnosis and treatment. Survivors may face many challenges, such as limited access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments, inadequate or no health insurance, financial hardships, difficulty finding employment, psycho-social struggles, and a lack of understanding from family and friends. Considering these difficulties, our community needs to focus on improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.
"Despite the numerous challenges they face, cancer survivors live full, productive lives," says Dr. Yeshwant, "Our desire is to find ways to lessen the burdens a cancer diagnosis can bring."