Cancer Survivors' Day

June 1 was National Cancer Survivors' Day, though around here it was observed this past Saturday, June 7.

What makes a cancer survivor? Do you have to be in remission to qualify? This is not a question I used to wonder about, but it turns out that what it takes to be a cancer survivor is to have had a cancer diagnosis and to still be alive. Hence I am a five-month cancer survivor.

It sounds like I'm on a roll, right?

In honor of the day there was a kind of street fair in the parking lot of the building where my oncology practice and infusion center are located. The various booths were devoted to businesses and charities that work with or provide for cancer patients. The booths really were varied: Sprouts, the healthy grocery story, was giving away free food to cancer survivors, and one of the charities explained how they take cancer patients sailing in Chesapeake Bay. Yet others were promoting services such as acupuncture, physical therapy, or (soberingly) hospice.

My wristband got me free brownies from Sprouts.

Some booths were devoted to a specific cancer, like breast cancer or colon cancer. Not surprisingly, given its rarity, there was no specific mention anywhere of mesothelioma.

The event was informative, so I'm glad I went. Toward the end, though, I stood too long listening to a woman at one of the booths talk about her cancer and her charity's fundraising efforts, so I had to go home and go to bed. It turns out surviving Cancer Survivors' Day was a challenge in itself.