UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is holding its annual Cancer Survivors Day celebration on Saturday, June 9, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education, 100 Friday Center Drive, in Chapel Hill.
The event is free, including parking, snacks and lunch, and is for cancer survivors and their loved ones and friends. Event check-in begins at 9 a.m. Advanced registration is required, unclineberger.org/ncsd or 844-496-2287.
“The great news is that there are more than 15 million cancer survivors in the United States, and this population is growing, but studies indicate cancer survivors often have a range of cancer-related questions that sometimes go unanswered,” said Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, director of cancer survivorship at UNC Lineberger. “Our cancer survivors event was founded to help answer these questions, to provide the latest information on survivorship, and to celebrate life.”
Chris Draft, former NFL player, cancer advocate, and widower who lost his wife to lung cancer, is the keynote speaker. He is a dynamic speaker who has lived the cancer journey. Other speakers include Chad Pecot, MD, a cancer survivor and a lung cancer specialist at UNC Lineberger, who will present a talk, “Cured at Last: A Tale of Tails,” Kirsten Nyrop, PhD, who will moderate a panel discussion, and Loretta Muss, RN, BA, who will talk about caring for the caregiver.
Survivors will have opportunities to share their stories and experiences, including during lunch, as well as have some fun.
“We’ve heard from attendees that they truly appreciate the chance to hear from experts as well to share their own experiences with fellow survivors and to learn from them,” said Mayer.