24th Annual Cancer Survivors Day Will Be Celebrated June 26
Contact: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio May 23, 2011 – Southeastern Med and “Copers” Cancer Support Group invite cancer survivors, caregivers, family members, friends, healthcare providers and all members of the surrounding communities to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Dayâ (NCSD). Traditionally, NCSD is held the first Sunday in June, but this year the 24rd annual event will take place on Sunday, June 26 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, 7033 Glenn Highway in Cambridge. Registration will begin at 1 p.m.
The Cambridge City Band will kick off the afternoon at 2 p.m. The survivor ceremony will begin at 3:45 p.m., and a dove release will be held at 4:15 p.m. followed by fellowship and refreshments. Everyone is invited to join in this free celebration.
This year’s keynote speaker is Kevin Sharp, an American country music artist, author and motivational speaker. As a senior in high school, Kevin began experiencing fatigue and unexplained pain that was later diagnosed as a rare form of bone cancer (Ewings Sarcoma) that had spread to his lungs. He was told that his chance of survival was slim. Uncertain if he would live six months, Kevin was introduced to the Make A Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. They honored his wish of meeting producer/performer David Foster, whose friendship sustained Kevin through two grueling years of chemotherapy, experimental drugs, and radiation treatments, as well as opening a door for Kevin to pursue his goal to become a successful country artist. To everyone’s surprise, Kevin went into remission in 1991. He made his debut on the country music scene in 1997 with the single “Nobody Knows,” which topped the Billboard country charts for four weeks.
Instead of succumbing to his illness, Kevin chose to fight. His first book, “Tragedy’s Gift,” tells the poignant and heart-wrenching story of Kevin’s battle against an illness that almost claimed his life, which is available for sale at www.sharpbook.com.
NCSD is the day each year where the public pauses to honor those around the world who are living with a history of cancer. It is also a day to acknowledge the contributions of their families, friends and healthcare providers.
The NCSD Foundation has defined a cancer survivor as anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. NCSD provides each community an opportunity to demonstrate that it has an active, productive cancer survivor population.
Sponsors for this year’s celebration include Southeastern Med, Cambridge Regional Cancer Center, Guernsey County Cancer Society and the Guernsey County Unit of the American Cancer Society.
Each survivor is welcome to bring one guest free of charge. Any additional guest is $5 per person. Survivors are asked to RSVP by June 13 by contacting Jen Fannin, manager of Cancer Registry at Southeastern Med, at 740-439-8156.
