Honoring Cancer

Honoring the Cancer Survivors in Your Life

By Dylan Roche

Talk to several cancer survivors and you’ll find that no two stories are alike. For as much as their experiences have in common, they have as many differences. Each one is unique. Each one deserves to be recognized.

Hence the idea behind National Cancer Survivors Day, observed annually on the first Sunday in June to honor those who are surviving cancer and to provide inspiration for those who have recently been diagnosed. Now in its 33rd year, National Cancer Survivors Day in 2020 falls on June 7.

You’d be hard pressed to find a person who is not affected by cancer—if they aren’t battling it or haven’t battled it themselves, they know at least one family member or friend who has. Last year, the American Cancer Society reported that there are 17 million cancer survivors living in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 22.1 million by 2030.

For many of those who are fighting the battle, every day is worth celebrating. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship uses the term cancerversary to mark the passage of time—weeks, months, years—for survivors since their first diagnosis, their first day of treatment, their last treatment, and even their first year or first decade of survival.

In addition to the struggle of fighting a disease, people with cancer have to overcome many other obstacles. There’s the financial burden from health care costs and time taken off work; there’s the emotional struggle as they deal with fears and worries; there’s the effort it takes to rebuild a life, after cancer has changed so many aspects of the one they knew.

Share their story on social

media. With their permission, write a post about their survivorship from your perspective. Explain how you know the person, share what inspired you most as you watched them fight cancer, and express your gratitude to still have this person in your life. Be sure to incorporate photos and videos if appropriate and use the hashtag #LifeAfterCancer so your tribute can reach more people.

Take a survivor on a special

outing. Many survivors, especially those who tend to be more shy or private, don’t want a lot of attention or noise. It will mean much more to them if you take them on a low-key outing for some one-on-one time. Go out to lunch, see a movie, visit an art gallery, stop by the spa, or sit outside at the park. Be sure to take the opportunity to express how much they mean to you.

Organize a get-together at your neighborhood common area or community center.

Reserve a public space and spread the word that you’re holding a gathering to honor survivors. Encourage everyone to bring a potluck dish to share and invite the survivors in their life. Take a few minutes to go around the room and allow survivors to introduce themselves and share their stories. If you wish, you can get everyone involved in a craft project that will honor the survivors, such as a banner of painted handprints.

For these and many other reasons, the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation encourages friends and loved ones to pay tribute on June 7. While many hospitals and support groups will hold events to bring groups of people together, you can find your own ways to honor the survivor in your life. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate—sometimes the simplest gestures mean the most.