Cancer Survivors Day celebration returns on Cape Cod
After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, Cancer Survivors Day will once again be celebrated on Sunday, September 17, 2023. This year’s event, the Ninth Annual Cancer Survivors Day, will be held at the Hyport Conference Center in Hyannis from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“I am very excited that the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center is hosting the event again this year,” said Judith Pregot, LICSW, OSW-C, CGCS, Cape Cod Hospital medical oncology social worker. “So many people have been asking about this annual event and, until this year, we have been unable to offer it due to the restrictions that were in place due to Covid-19.
National Cancer Survivors Day is a celebration of life held nationwide on the first Sunday in June and founded by the National Survivors Day Foundation. It celebrates those who have survived, provides inspiration for anyone recently diagnosed, gathers support for families, and provides outreach to the communities.
“Many cancer centers and hospitals aren’t able to do it on the first Sunday in June,” said Pregot. “Traditionally, June is the month for many graduation celebrations, as well as Father’s Day celebrations and this, occasionally would have an effect upon event attendance. We decided to try a celebration in the fall this year.”
A Time to Share and Be Inspired
Survivors will have the opportunity to share with others, experience camaraderie, and be inspired, especially by the guest speakers this year.
The list includes Kumara Sidhartha, MD, MPH, a Cape Cod Healthcare medical internist with special interests in preventive medicine and nutrition.
Brian Kowal, MD a Cape Cod Hospital urologist, will be talking about his cancer survival story and Virginia Voros, a more recent survivor will share her journey.
A Team Effort
It takes many people to bring this event together and included in the effort are the hospital departments that create themed baskets, which survivors can win. More than 33 departments have donated 52 baskets, with more to come.
Some of the baskets include spa treatments, a picnic, pampering products for a female and a male, whale watching, New England Patriots tickets, lobster, adventures in dining, travel, skin products, and two gift certificates for Tugboats Seafood Restaurant.
Every cancer survivor in attendance will receive a raffle ticket when they arrive and sign in.
The winners’ names will be drawn randomly.
Departments that contribute baskets will have the opportunity to score a win of their own. Three judges will view each basket and decide on the top three for their creativity and presentation. Winners will get bragging rights, along with a restaurant gift certificate for their department.
More Information
The event will provide a light box lunch and there will be information from the American Cancer Society, as well as booths featuring reiki, mini-massage treatments, area exercise programs, and nutrition.
Survivors do not have to receive treatment with Cape Cod Healthcare to attend, but they must live on Cape Cod or have part-time residency. Each survivor may bring one guest. Survivors are asked to register themselves and their guest either by calling 508-862-5060 or by going online at www.capecodhealth.org\cancer-survivors.
The Hyport Conference Center is located at 35 Scudder Avenue in Hyannis.
