FRANKLIN, Tenn., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 700 communities throughout the United States and other participating countries will be hosting events in commemoration of the 17th annual National Cancer Survivors Day(R) (NCSD) this Sunday, June 6.
Commencing with greetings from President George W. Bush and Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Survivors Day is a worldwide Celebration of Life where participants unite in a symbolic event to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality.
After being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer 26 years ago and given 90 days to live, Richard Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block, conceived the idea of NCSD when he and his wife, Annette, held their first Cancer Survivor Rally in Kansas City to demonstrate that a diagnosis of cancer was not an automatic death sentence. Since then, the event has spread to hundreds of communities worldwide and evolved as the world's largest cancer survivor event. The Blochs now serve as NCSD Founding Co-Chairs.
"This celebration of life is for everyone," says Richard Bloch. "If you think a cancer survivors event could be a 'downer,' then you have never attended an NCSD event. Not only will you have a great time, but you will come to understand that cancer survivors are vibrant examples that life goes on, and sometimes is even enhanced by a cancer diagnosis."
According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, a cancer survivor is anyone living with a history of cancer -- from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 9.6 million Americans are currently living with a history of cancer.
"I have made tremendous progress since my initial diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 27," said Nancy Graver, a HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer survivor and NCSD participant, who has been living with cancer for four years. "The unconditional support of my family and friends, as well as the treatment I receive from my oncologist opened my mind to the array of cancer treatments available today and encouraged me to continue my fight against cancer. This day represents the hope cancer survivors have through the latest advancements in cancer research and treatment."
"Celebrating NCSD in your community will fill your day with love, joy and plenty of hugs," adds Bloch. "Please take time on National Cancer Survivors Day to acknowledge the contributions of families and friends, researchers and healthcare providers who support cancer survivors in their fight for life. Also, we extend a special welcome to the newest participating countries, Australia, Cayman Islands, India, and Malaysia."
About the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
Celebrating its 17th year in 2004, NCSD is the world's largest and fastest-growing annual cancer survivor event. 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. To locate the NCSD event in your community, call your local cancer treatment center or American Cancer Society office, or contact the NCSD Foundation at (615) 794-3006, e-mail info@ncsdf.org. To learn more about NCSD, visit Web site http://www.ncsdf.org/.
About the Blochs
Richard and Annette Bloch now serve as NCSD founding co-chairs. They are the founders of a free, nationwide cancer information hotline (800-433-0464), and Richard helped develop the Physicians Data Query computer system for the National Cancer Institute. In 1982, Richard Bloch was appointed by President Reagan to the National Cancer Advisory Board. The Blochs have authored three books on cancer and have built 20 cancer survivor parks in the U.S., with five more under construction. "Being diagnosed with cancer is just the beginning," states Richard. "Cancer survivors are faced with issues such as financial hardships, job discrimination, and inadequate insurance." According to the most recent National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, 42.3 million people in the United States are uninsured.
About the Sponsors
The National Sponsors for this year's event are Aventis Oncology, Coping(R) magazine, Genentech, Eli Lilly and Company, and Varian Medical Systems.
*Download photo of Richard and Annette Bloch: http://www.ncsdf.org/download/blochphoto.html
National Cancer Survivors Day FoundationCONTACT: Paula Chadwell of National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation,+1-615-791-3834, or pchadwell@ncsdf.org