Seeing a National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD) t-shirt doesn’t always inspire. For some, the sight can elicit confusion, discomfort, or annoyance. In honor of the 33rd NCSD this past Sunday, let’s look at NCSD pride.
I remember in 1992 feeling anything but proud at my first NCSD event. I was scared and sad, having just closed my medical practice to begin treatment for my first recurrence. The balloons, popcorn, music, games, hugs, and company of other survivors provided.…
A venue for family fun. I appreciated how the celebration linked “a joyful outing” with “cancer.” We took pix of the happy moments for my children’s memory boxes.
Role models. Talking with long-term survivors helped me find hope that I, too, might survive.
Co-survivor Support. Heartfelt encouragement—”You can do this!” from those who had walked the walk carried a lot of weight.
Sometimes the best way —a beautiful way!—to honor survivorship is embracing life, with “cancer” nowhere on your radar. For me, participating in events designed to celebrate survivorship helps me feel proud of climbing a mountain I did not choose to climb. It announces to the world that we are living life and finding happiness despite cancer and, in certain ways, because of it. This year, I proudly wear the t-shirt, hoping to…
Help others find hope of climbing their mountain.
Keep me from ever taking my survival for granted.
There’s no right way to “do” survivorship.
There is a best way for you, for now.
Illustration by Emma Mathes (from Healing Hope)
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