Celebrate Life 2006 Marks National Cancer Survivors Day

Pier 21 in Halifax provides the backdrop for an afternoon of music and festivities on Sunday, June 4, as Nova Scotia marks National Cancer Survivors Day with Celebrate Life 2006.

Presented by Cancer Care Nova Scotia, this is the fifth year a celebration has been held. This year, the event takes place between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

"Celebrate Life is a reminder of the importance of truly living in the present and appreciating each and every moment we have with family and loved ones," said Emmie Luther-Hiltz, co-ordinator, Cancer Patient Family Network, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "It's about the strength of coming together as a community and knowing that with the support and love of family and friends, there is life after a cancer diagnosis."

Terry Kelly, a cancer survivor and honourary event chair, will headline the afternoon's entertainment and will perform the recently launched song, Celebrate Life. It was written and produced by Mr. Kelly, in partnership with Cancer Care Nova Scotia, to honour and recognize those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Mr. Kelly will be joined by Lennie Gallant, Floyd King, LeMarchant St. Thomas Elementary Choir and Kendra MacGillivray. CBC TV's Bruce Rainnee will be master of ceremonies.

The family-oriented afternoon will include a candle lighting ceremony to honour those touched by cancer and a message of inspiration and hope delivered by Carly Bunyan, a 23-year-old student athlete and cancer survivor. Ms. Bunyan will share her personal experience with cancer and the ways she has been able to remain positive, be thankful for and celebrate life while facing overwhelming obstacles.

"Finding out I had cancer in the middle of my second year at university was really hard, but I had amazing support," said Ms. Bunyan. "My family, my community at home, friends, coaches, professors, they were all there for me. I had to drop out of school while having treatment, but being able to pick up my courses exactly where I left off and re-join the track and field team as soon as I was ready made it easier. I've really been so lucky. Going through something like this makes you truly appreciate life. I attribute much of my recovery to the wonderful support I received from everyone."

National Cancer Survivors Day events, like Celebrate Life 2006, will be recognized by thousands of people in communities throughout North America on Sunday, June 4. It is a day to honour those around the world who are living with a history of cancer.

In Nova Scotia, the 28,000 people who are living with, living through or living beyond a cancer diagnosis are invited to join with their families, friends and health providers to celebrate life.

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 system through prevention, screening, education and research.