National Cancer Survivors Day® is Sunday, June 2nd. On this day, people around the world will unite to recognize cancer survivors, raise awareness of the ongoing challenges these survivors face because of their disease, and – most importantly – celebrate life.

To commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day®, Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor has partnered with The University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center, along with the generous support of Trinity Health Michigan, to host a Cancer Survivors Day Celebration. It is a celebration for anyone who has been impacted by cancer to connect with others and honor milestones in their journey.

“Despite its challenges, life with and after cancer can be beautiful and joyous,” says Bonnie Dockham, Executive Director of the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. “You will find our community’s National Cancer Survivors Day® celebration filled with hope, camaraderie, and compassion as we honor cancer survivors, their loved ones and health care providers.”

The event will welcome all survivors, caregivers and loved ones. It will feature exhibits on survivorship issues, a formal program with keynote speakers, entertainment, food, drinks, and door prizes. This local event is part of a worldwide celebration coordinated by the National Cancer Survivors Day® Foundation. A cancer survivor defined as any person from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 18 million cancer survivors. By 2030, the number of cancer survivors in the U.S. is projected to increase to 22.2 million.

As the number of survivors continues to grow, it is becoming ever more important to address the unique needs of this population. In addition to facing a serious illness, cancer survivors must contend with rising drug costs; inadequate insurance coverage; difficulty finding or keeping jobs; and ongoing physical, emotional, and financial struggles that can persist even after treatment ends. Considering these challenges, our community must stand with these survivors on National Cancer Survivors Day® and make a commitment to lessening the burden of cancer survival.

The Cancer Survivors Day Celebration of Life is open to the public on June 2nd, 2024 from 12:30pm-3:30pm and will be held in the Morris J. Lawrence Building on the Campus of Washtenaw Community College (4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105).

Visit cancersupportannarbor.org/survivorsday for more information.