National Cancer Survivors Day Celebrations Slated for Halifax
CANCER CARE N.S.--National Cancer Survivors Day Celebrations Slated for Halifax
Pier 21 in Halifax will provide the backdrop for a celebration of life, as family and friends come together to mark National Cancer Survivors Day, Sunday, June 2, between 2 and 4 p.m. Twenty-four thousand Nova Scotians who are living with cancer could participate. The event, with generous support from presenting sponsor Aliant Telecom, is free and everyone is welcome.
"This celebration is important," said Emmie Luther-Hiltz, co- ordinator, Cancer Patient Family Network, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "It's important for survivors. It's important for family and friends. It's important for all of us who have lost someone to cancer. And it's important to remind ourselves that there is hope for the future. With advances in research and treatment, there is much to celebrate."
Terry Kelly and Raylene Rankin, well-known Nova Scotia musicians and cancer survivors, will headline an afternoon of terrific entertainment. They will be joined by Celtic tenor Tom MacDonald, the École Rockingham elementary school choir and other entertainers.
"Aliant Telecom considers support of health-care programs a critical part of its Community Investment Program," said Dawn Boylan, manager, Community Relations, Aliant Telecom. "We are pleased to support this special event which provides an opportunity for friends and families to come together and recognize cancer survivors and remember those who we have lost their fight against cancer."
This family-oriented afternoon will include a candle-lighting ceremony to honour those touched by cancer and a message of confidence and hope delivered by Raylene Rankin. Health professionals who have provided patients, their families and friends with exemplary care will also be recognized at the celebration.
Cancer Care Nova Scotia wanted to celebrate survivors and to mark National Cancer Survivors Day. The organization began to work with the Canadian Cancer Society - Nova Scotia Division and Caring for Cancer Patients to plan the first Nova Scotia event of this magnitude.
"Cancer touches all of us either directly or indirectly," said Maureen Summers, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society - Nova Scotia Division. "In 2002 alone, an estimated 136,900 Canadians will develop some form of cancer. This day is to celebrate life, honour the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who have experienced cancer and recognize the important role of family, friends and health-care professionals in the lives of cancer survivors."
"Having hosted a similar, but smaller event last year, we appreciate how important it is for survivors and their families to come together to celebrate life," said Brenda Whittle, founder, Caring for Cancer Patients. "It's important to provide encouragement to those newly diagnosed and remind them that there is life after cancer."
National Cancer Survivors Day 2002 will be celebrated by thousands of people in more than 700 communities throughout North America on Sunday, June 2. It's a day to honour those around the world who are living with a history of cancer. It's also an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of their families, friends and health-care providers.
Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families, and the health care through prevention, screening, education and research.
The Canadian Cancer Society - Nova Scotia Division is a community-based organization of volunteers whose vision is to work together to overcome cancer and create healthier lives for all Nova Scotians.
Caring for Cancer Patients is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides individual and group counselling for patients and their families, seminars, training for health professionals, coping and self-esteem workshops for cancer patients and resource materials on cancer.
Aliant Telecom is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aliant Inc. The Aliant group of advanced technology companies delivers wireline and wireless telecommunications, information technology, remote communications and Internet-based business solutions. For more information, visit Aliant at www.aliant.ca .