For Immediate Release

CONTACT: PAULA CHADWELL
PHONE: 615-791-3834
E-MAIL: PCHADWELL@NCSDF.ORG
Start Date: February 4, 2008

Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day^® on Sunday, June 1, 2008

On Sunday, June 1, hundreds of communities throughout the United States, Canada, and other participating countries will observe the 21st annual National Cancer Survivors Day by hosting celebrations of life. NCSD events are filled with joy, camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith, and love. Cancer survivors are honored for their strength and courage, and the contributions of their families, friends, and healthcare providers are recognized.

The activities are as diversified as the towns and cities where the events are held and include parades, carnivals, races, art exhibits, ball games, contests, dances, inspirational programs, and more. Surviving cancer is an attitude about life and living each day to the fullest. NCSD helps call attention to the issues of cancer survivorship and will be commenced with greetings from President George W. Bush and the director of the National Cancer Institute.

A “survivor” is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, which reports that an estimated 12 million Americans are cancer survivors.

National Cancer Survivors Day 2008 marks the 21st anniversary of this celebration of life, and the Foundation is encouraging everyone to participate in their community’s event. To locate the one nearest you, check with your local cancer treatment center, American Cancer Society office, or contact the Foundation at (615) 794-3006 or info@ncsdf.org. National Cancer Survivors Day 2008 is being sponsored nationally by AstraZeneca, Coping magazine, Lilly Oncology, and R. A. Bloch Cancer Foundation.

About the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
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. Its primary mission is to educate the public on the issues of cancer survivorship in order to better the quality of life for cancer survivors.

About Cancer Survivorship
As the world celebrates life on National Cancer Survivors Day, the accomplishments of modern science are evident in the ever-growing cancer survivor population. Addressing the poorly understood needs of these survivors is becoming a formidable challenge.

A cancer diagnosis can leave a host of problems in its wake. Physical, financial, and emotional hardships often persist after diagnosis and treatment. Survivors may face many challenges such as hindered access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments, inadequate insurance, financial hardships, employment problems, and psychological struggles. To improve the quality of life of cancer survivors, more resources, research, and survivor-friendly legislation is needed.

More information on cancer and cancer survivorship:
National Cancer Survivors Day: www.ncsdf.org
National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
American Society of Clinical Oncology: www.PLWC.org
American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/STT/STT_0.asp
American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org


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Note to Press:
For supporting materials to use with this news release, contact
pchadwell@ncsdf.org or call (615) 791-3834.