New friends, Kim Coles (left) and Zena Jones (right), celebrated cancer survivorship by attending the cooking demonstration in the ELLICSR kitchen. (Photo: UHN)
By Erica Di Maio
Everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by cancer.
On Monday, June 10, UHN's ELLICSR: Health, Wellness & Cancer Survivorship Centre hosted a National Cancer Survivors Day event to honour cancer survivors – to celebrate life after diagnosis. A 'survivor' is anyone living with cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through to the remainder of life.
"The number of people alive after a cancer diagnosis continues to increase as cancer is found earlier and treatments improve," says Dr. Pamela Catton, Director, ELLICSR Health, Wellness & Survivorship. "National Cancer Survivors Day was established to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful, fulfilling and even inspiring."
ELLICSR celebrates its third anniversary this week. It was conceived as a place where scientists, educators health care providers, survivors and community cancer organizations could come together to figure out how to revolutionize the cancer experience.
"I can't think of a better way to celebrate our birthday than to host National Cancer Survivors Day," said Dr. Catton.
Workshops of the day included: The Cracked Pot with Spiritual Care, Mindful Eating with ELLICSR Kitchen, Qi Gong with Gilda's Club Greater Toronto, Spontaneous Art Journaling, Laughter with Rob Hawke and more.
Sister Mary Carol Lemire (left) and Margaret Sumadh (right) worked together to rebuild "the cracked pot," a workshop hosted by UHN's Spiritual Care team used to symbolize the rebuilding of spirituality after cancer diagnosis. (Photo: UHN)
Christy Brissette, Dietitian and Chef Geremy Capone hosted Mindful Eating with the ELLICSR kitchen. (Photo: UHN)
To learn more about National Cancer Survivors Day, click here.
