Celebration of Life 2006

With communities across the nation in celebration of national Cancer Survivors Day, the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson celebrated its 7th annual Celebration of Life on May, 24, 2006. There were over 200 cancer survivors, family, caregivers and friends in attendance. The celebration included an interactive Health Expo with staff from the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine and many community organizations offering literature, complimentary massages, yoga demonstration, health screenings, nutrition tips, etc. Artists who were cancer survivors or touched by cancer exhibited their work which featured paintings, photography, and poetry with background music of Gloria Gallante, Harpist.

This special event focused on ten years of advocacy and survivorship. Dr. Richard G. Pestell, MD, PhD, Cancer Center Director, opened the evening and welcomed participants. Walter J. Curran, MD, Associate Director for Clinical Science spoke about the last ten years of the advocacy and survivorship program. Christopher Dezzi, Chair of the Advocacy and Survivorship Committee, shared his story of survivorship and challenge to his friends and family to support efforts to find a cure. Stanley Wortman shared his experience of being Jefferson’s first prostate seed implant patient ten years ago. Dr. Anne Rosenberg took a look at the new Breast Care Center and Kimberly DiCicco shared her experience as a two time breast cancer survivor.