UAB: Comprehensive Cancer Center

Joy, hope, camaraderie, faith and triumph over adversity were on full display when cancer survivors, their families, friends and caregivers celebrated Survivors Day on June 4, 2011, at Birmingham's Pepper Place Saturday Market.

Celebrating Life, part of the National Cancer Survivors Day, hosted by the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, and an all-star collaboration of cancer organizations, united cancer survivors, caregivers, family members, friends and health-care professionals to show that life after a diagnosis can be meaningful and productive. A survivor is anyone living with a history of cancer, from diagnosis through the remainder of life.  At the free event, survivors were able to meet each other and spend time with area farmers and vendors who base their livelihoods on healthy living.

This festive event featured live music and cooking demonstrations, as well as a host of hands-on activity centers for educational opportunities, nutritional programs, children’s activities, and art and massage therapies.

Joining this year’s celebration was John Scalici, an internationally recognized drum circle facilitator and speaker. Scalici led Survivors Day participants in the DrumSTRONG program, a unique, multicultural, musical, charity event that helps showcase regional and national resources that support people with cancer and those who love them. Other performers included:  Zumba with Jerri and Jen, Sing for the Cure, Cooking with Dr. Luis Pineda and Chef Antony Osborne, Red Mountain Theatre Company singers, singer Sarah Ferguson, and Alex Swader – Dancers Fighting Cancer.

Celebrating Life hosts included the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, UAB Center for Palliative Care and Supportive Care, American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, Bo Johnson Charitable Foundation, Deep South Network for Cancer Control, Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Live Strong, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Wheeling For Hope.

Sponsors included UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB Medicine, UAB School of Medicine, UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Alabama’s 13, Virginia College, Get Rhythm!, VSA Alabama, Culinard, and Pepper Place Saturday Market.

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is among the 40 cancer centers in the nation to meet the stringent criteria for the National Cancer Institute's comprehensive designation. The center is a leader in groundbreaking research, reducing cancer disparities and leading-edge patient care.