On Sunday, June 5, 2016, cancer survivors and supporters in communities around the world will gather to celebrate the 29th annual National Cancer Survivors Day® and raise awareness of the issues of cancer survivorship.
There are nearly 14.5 million people living with and beyond cancer in the U.S. today, and more than 32 million cancer survivors worldwide. On Sunday, June 5, 2016, communities around the world will gather to recognize these cancer survivors as part of the 29th annual National Cancer Survivors Day®.
National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual worldwide Celebration of Life that is held on the first Sunday in June. It is the one day each year that people around the world come together to recognize the cancer survivors in their community, to raise awareness of the challenges these survivors face, and, most importantly, to celebrate life.
According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, administrator for the celebration, “A ‘survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.”
“When most people hear the word ‘cancer,’ they automatically think the worst,” says Foundation spokesperson, Laura Shipp. “But the truth is that more people are living longer and better quality lives after cancer than ever before. National Cancer Survivors Day® is an opportunity for these cancer survivors – and those who support them – to come together and celebrate this new reality in cancer survivorship.
“But this is also a day where we want to bring attention to the hardships cancer survivors still face. These include not just physical side effects but also psychological, social, and emotional distress, as well as significant financial hardships. Our Foundation hopes that NCSD serves as a call to action for further research, more resources, and increased public awareness to improve quality of life for cancer survivors.”
Everyone knows someone who’s life has been touched by cancer. The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation is encouraging all citizens to participate in their community’s event. To locate the one nearest you, check with your local cancer treatment center, hospital, or American Cancer Society office. Or you can host an event of your own using the resources available through the National Cancer Survivors Day® website, ncsd.org.
The nonprofit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation provides free guidance, education, and networking resources and assistance to hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host official National Cancer Survivors Day® events in their communities. The Foundation’s primary mission is to bring awareness to the issues of cancer survivorship in order to better the quality of life for cancer survivors.
As the number of cancer survivors continues to grow, it is becoming ever more important to address the unique needs of these survivors. Many face limited access to healthcare specialists, a lack of information about promising new treatments, inadequate or no insurance, difficulty finding employment, and psychosocial struggles. Once active treatment ends, cancer survivors still must cope with the long-term effects of cancer, which can include ongoing physical side effects as well as potentially devastating financial setbacks.
The National Cancer Survivors Day® Foundation, along with NCSD 2016 national sponsors and Amgen, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Coping with Cancer magazine, is encouraging a greater commitment to lessening the burden of cancer survivorship.
“Cancer survivors are now living much longer after diagnosis thanks to advances in modern medicine. And the strides researchers are making in cancer treatment are amazing to see,” says Shipp. “However, we need to do a better job of addressing the hardships cancer survivors face beyond treatment.”
Leading up to National Cancer Survivors Day®, the NCSD Foundation urges everyone to spread the message that there is life after cancer – and that’s something to celebrate – but we can still do more to lessen the burdens of cancer survivorship. The following are suggested posts for your social media sites:
On Facebook: There is life after cancer – it is beautiful, it is meaningful, and it is something to celebrate – but we can still do more to lessen the burden of cancer survivorship. Join us as we #CelebrateLife and raise awareness on National Cancer Survivors Day, June 5. #NCSD2016
On Twitter: We can do more to lessen the burden of cancer. #CelebrateLife, raise awareness on National Cancer Survivors Day, June 5. #NCSD2016
National Cancer Survivors Day® 2016 is sponsored nationally by Amgen, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Coping with Cancer magazine, with support from Genentech, Raquel Welch® Signature Wig Collection, and Teva Oncology.
Source: National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. www.ncsd.org, accessed May 28, 2016.
