Cancer Survivors’ Walk Draws 4,000
Approximately 4,000 cancer survivors, friends, family members, and others touched by cancer participated in the 10th Annual Cancer Survivors’ Celebration and Walk, which kicked off June 1 at 9 a.m. at Chicago’s Grant Park. The five-mile, lakefront walk was sponsored by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and held in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors’ Day.
“This event is an opportunity to celebrate the strides we’ve made in cancer treatment and research and to recommit ourselves to going the extra mile in our quest for a cure,” remarked Northwestern University President Henry S. Bienen.
Joining the celebration was Soraya, a Columbian-American singer and cancer survivor who sang her survivorship song, “No One Else.” Among the speakers was Corinne Wood, former Illinois lieutenant governor and a cancer survivor.
Also participating in the event was a contingent from LeMans, France, invited by Leo I. Gordon, MD, Abby and John Friend Professor of Cancer Research and chief of the Feinberg School’s Division of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Gordon met fellow hematologist/oncologist Philippe Solal-Celigny, MD, at an international conference, and shared with him the success story of the walk.
“Philippe wanted to know the details of the event—how it began, what it took to organize, and how many participants attended,” said Dr. Gordon. “When I told him the event draws more than 3,500 participants, he was surprised. We decided the experience would have much more impact in person.” Ten French cancer survivors, ages 35 to 70, and their families participated in this year’s walk.
Next year’s walk is scheduled for June 6. For additional information, contact the Cancer Center Hotline at 312/695-1304.