National Cancer Survivors Day 2010

June 6, 2010

The AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute, a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner, will host a Cancer Survivors Day® event  Sunday, June 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to those who have been touched by cancer and their loved ones. The theme of the event is Laughter is the Best Medicine.

Anthony Campo, MD, a dermatologist on staff at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, will provide free skin cancer screenings. The event will include chair massages, refreshments and give-aways. The Time Traveler Band will perform for free.

Tim McMichael, a former United States Navy flight officer, a civilian in the Navy, who is also a cancer survivor, will discuss the role blogging and humor plays in his healing in his presentation, “I didn’t order the lymphoma.”  McMichael was diagnosed in February 2009 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). He writes about his experience in his blog, “I Don’t Remember Signing Up For This,” at www.ididntorderthelymphoma.blogspot.com.

McMichael, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was raised on a cattle farm in Amite, Louisiana. After graduating from Louisiana State University and earning a degree in zoology, he served seven years in the United States Navy as a flight officer, flying in the back seat of an F-14 Tomcat. He continues to support the Navy as a civilian, working for the Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland, where he is chief of staff to the admiral in charge of Research and Development. McMichael and his wife Liz reside in Leonardtown, Maryland with and their son Robbie.

AtlantiCare will give all cancer survivors a t-shirt. The event will include refreshments, chair massages and pet therapy.

About National Cancer Survivors Day®
National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual, worldwide Celebration of Life that takes place in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, Canada, and other participating countries. Participants unite in a symbolic event to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful and productive.

National Cancer Survivors Day is traditionally observed on the first Sunday in June. NCSD is celebrating its 23rd year in 2010.

The non-profit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation supports hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host National Cancer Survivors Day events in their communities by providing free guidance, education and networking. The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation defines a "survivor" as anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.