Today was National Cancer Survivors Day. CINJ had a fun celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick. The celebration was named "Welcome Aboard our SurvivorSHIP".
The "cruise director" Eddie kept people on their toes by announcing the different activities- hand massages, make-up tips, line dancing, and stress relief activities. In the atrium, sharing tables for the Center for Cancer Survivorship at CINJ, the Life program, the CINJ library, the Bridge program ,and the Social Work department provided excellent information. There were cookbooks by the CINJ nurses and special greeting cards for sale. The cards were designed by my friend Sandy( see the website below).
We entered the ball room and by each place setting was a very soft plastic CINJ ship ( see photo above.) I was asked to start off the program by calling a game of Bingo- a very traditional cruise game. Dr Robert DiPaola welcomed the group and Eric Perakslis, Chair of the Survivors Advisory Board discussed the new center. Guest speaker , Conor Cunneen talked about the importance of "gab"- goals, attitude and behavior - on our cancer journey.
Nick and I sat with the women of my gynecological cancer support group, their husbands/ partners and Julie a friend and social worker who facilitates our group. Our support group began in May of 2007. We have laughed together, cheered each other on, offered each other advice and cried together when one of our own - Sharon lost her battle with this disease. There was a photographer taking photos of survivors and their families holding a " Celebration of Life" life preserver. Our group could not pass up the opportunity to get a photo together. When we picked up the photos at the end of the event we laughed to see us pictured on a beach with palm trees in the background. Very Neat!
By the way, I decided to go to the event without a scarf, hat or wig. The hair is growing in. :o)
Livestrong
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!
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