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CCSN to Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day 

On Sunday, June 7, 2020, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network will mark the 33rd annual National Cancer Survivors Day® Celebration of Life - the day set aside each year to recognize cancer survivors, raise awareness of the ongoing challenges cancer survivors face because of their disease, and celebrate life.

In previous years, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network has been invited to gather with cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in the office of Ottawa mayor Jim Watson to celebrate the more than one million cancer survivors living in Canada today. Each year Mayor Watson has shared his own experiences and presented CCSN with a plaque proclaiming National Cancer Survivors Month in Ottawa.

This year, because of COVID-19, we celebrate at a distance, but we still want to stress that more cancer patients survive cancer because of early diagnosis and improved treatment. “We celebrate life,” said Jackie Manthorne, President & CEO of CCSN. “But we also realize that cancer survivors may suffer from sporadic or lifelong side effects of cancer and its treatment. As a cancer survivor organization, we are working toward raising awareness of the need for cancer rehabilitation services and the establishment of these services across Canada.”

CCSN volunteers celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day 2019 at the office of Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.

Here’s what some cancer survivors have told us:

“Being a survivor means that I have had the reset button pushed on my life. I see things differently and appreciate things now more than ever. It also means that I’ve been given the chance to help others going through this disease by telling my success story.”   Jeff from Toronto

“As a 16-year cancer survivor, through four sets of chemo and a stem cell transplant, I now find it to be of critical importance to stay fit.  This helps me slow down my diseases’ progress and helps me maintain an excellent quality of life.  Our pandemic lockdown has even given me the time to publish a YouTube video outlining how cancer patients can best obtain the benefits of moderate exercise at https://youtu.be/gcynOKhe9LI, with a quickie overview version at https://youtu.be/sZYIBmHLUvc for people who want to zip through to see if the longer version would be of interest.” Murray from Ottawa

“As a survivor of bladder cancer, and as national chair of Bladder Cancer Canada, I am inspired by the patient community that surrounds me through their passion and determination to support each other and make a difference in the fight against bladder cancer. Together we are committed to a vision to create a world where bladder cancer is just a memory.” Ferg from Toronto

“After the diagnosis, I learned to live, laugh and love to the best of my ability. I do not think about the cancer returning or else I might just as well have died four years ago. So keep your chin up, put one foot in front of the other, and be as kind to people as you can. Prayers don’t hurt either! Good luck to all of us and fight the good fight!” Susan from Saanich, BC

Mayor Jim Watson presents CCSN President & CEO with a plaque proclaiming National Cancer Survivors Month in Ottawa in 2019.

About cancer survivorship

With more than 32 million cancer survivors worldwide, everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by cancer. On Sunday, June 7, 2020, people around the world are coming together to acknowledge these cancer survivors, and to raise awareness of the challenges of cancer survivorship, as part of the 33rd annual National Cancer Survivors Day®.

About National Cancer Survivors Day

National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual worldwide Celebration of Life that is held on the first Sunday in June. It is a day to recognize cancer survivors, raise awareness of the ongoing challenges cancer survivors face because of their disease, and – most importantly – celebrate life.

According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, administrator for the celebration, a ‘survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.

“When people hear the words ‘you have cancer,’ it can be very frightening,” says Foundation spokesperson, Laura Shipp. “But there is hope. Today’s cancer survivors are living longer, better quality lives than ever before. National Cancer Survivors Day® gives these survivors – and those who support them – a special day each year to celebrate life and to show the world that you can have a good life after a cancer diagnosis.

“NCSD is also a call to action. Cancer survivors face ongoing, often long-lasting, hardships because of their disease. On National Cancer Survivors Day®, we want to raise awareness of the many challenges of cancer survivorship and advocate for further research, more resources, and increased public awareness to improve the lives of cancer survivors.”

Celebrate this coming June 7th with cancer survivor Ferg Devins of Toronto, Ontario.

Due to COVID-19, many of the public events scheduled to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day® have been canceled. However, that doesn’t mean that the celebration is canceled. You can connect with cancer survivors and supporters around the world on Sunday, June 7, by using the hashtag #NCSD2020 and following National Cancer Survivors Day® on Facebook (Facebook.com/CancerSurvivorsDay), Instagram (@cancersurvivorsday), and Twitter (@survivorsday).

In addition, many communities and cancer organizations are taking their NCSD celebrations online or hosting socially distanced events. To find out how your community is celebrating, check with your local cancer treatment center, hospital, or cancer support group. You can also host a celebration of your own using the resources available through the National Cancer Survivors Day® website, ncsd.org.

As the number of cancer survivors continues to grow, it is becoming ever more important to address the unique needs of this population. In addition to facing a serious illness, cancer survivors must contend with rapidly rising drug costs, inadequate insurance coverage, difficulty finding or keeping employment, and ongoing physical, psychological, and financial struggles that persist even after treatment ends.

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network and the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation urge everyone to spread the message that life after cancer is something worth celebrating, and that a better quality of life for cancer survivors is worth fighting for.

** Support survivors on this National Cancer Survivors Day by making a donation to the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network! **
https://survivornet.ca/donation-via-canada-helps/ 

Connect with us on:

Twitter
@survivornetca - our main twitter account of information, news and resources on all cancers
@bestbreastnews - information on breast health and breast cancer
@prostatepost - news, events and resources on prostate cancer
@canadianmeso - details on asbestos and mesothelioma
@LungCancerCan - focuses on lung cancer news, events and awareness
@CCSNpoli - general, non-partisan talk about the politics of healthcare and cancer care
@MedMarijuanaCan - news and information regarding medical marijuana
@stomachcancerca - resources and articles on stomach cancer 
@cervicalcanca - information and news on cervical cancer and HPV
@melanomacan - information and resources on melanoma
@LiverCancerCA – news and information on liver cancer
@headandneckcan - everything you need to know about head and neck cancer
 

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