Celebrate Life 2007 Marks National Cancer Survivors Day

Pier 21 in Halifax provides the backdrop for an afternoon of music and festivities on Sunday, June 3, as Nova Scotians mark National Cancer Survivors Day with Celebrate Life 2007.

Presented by Cancer Care Nova Scotia, this is the sixth year the Halifax celebration has been held. The event takes place between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. for an information fair. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

"Celebrate Life is about hope, inspiration and remembrance," said Emmie Luther-Hiltz, co-ordinator, cancer patient family network, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "It's an opportunity to come together with those important people in our lives and share a strong sense of community."

Terry Kelly, honourary event chair and a cancer survivor, will perform a song he wrote for the event in English and French Launched last year, the song is becoming an anthem for survivorship events throughout the country. Other performers include J.P. Cormier, Doris Mason, the Greene School of Irish Dance and the Sacred Heart School Elementary Choir. Acadian musician and singer/songwriter, Ron Burgeois, will be master of ceremonies.

CTV's Peter Mallette will share his personal experience with cancer and speak about ways he has been able to remain positive, be thankful for and celebrate life while dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The family-oriented afternoon will also include a candle lighting ceremony to honour those touched by cancer.

National Cancer Survivors Day events, like Celebrate Life 2007, will be recognized by thousands of people in communities throughout North America on Sunday. 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.