Five-Year Cancer Survivor from Chickasha Celebrates Life

On Friday, June 8, Nancy McClanahan, a lung cancer survivor from Chickasha, Oklahoma, joined more than 100 fellow five-year cancer survivors at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) in suburban Chicago for its 30th Annual Celebrate Life® event.

While some cancer rates continue to climb, medical treatments are also advancing, providing more patients with the hope and resources they need to battle this disease. Survivorship is the new frontier in cancer care, and hospitals, like CTCA, offer dedicated survivorship programs to help patients achieve a high quality of life post-cancer treatment.

Celebrate Life is an annual event that brings together both cancer survivors and caregivers for a day of empowerment and celebration. Survivors stand united to support one another, celebrate the moments they’ve gained, and encourage those who are currently navigating their own cancer journey.

The day began with the celebrants and caregivers arriving at the hospital campus in Zion on eight large coach buses. As they disembarked, many with loved ones by their side, they took a momentous walk down a red carpet, lined with hundreds of cheering family, friends, caregivers and hospital care team members who attended to help these individuals celebrate their five years of cancer survivorship.

After the red-carpet walk, McClanahan took part in a commemorative tree planting ceremony, symbolizing the wonder of life and growth. The 2018 Celebrate Life event marks the 30th year that a tree has been planted in honor of each five-year survivor in attendance, helping replenish and strengthen our nation’s landscape with a thriving forest of life-giving trees symbolic of cancer survivorship. Participants honored represented 32 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, each offering support and strength to others, as they proudly posed for a photo in front of their commemorative tree.

“Being diagnosed with lung cancer was disappointing, since I have never smoked or lived with anyone who smoked,” said McClanahan. “But even though cancer sometimes slows me down, my quality of life has improved year after year since being diagnosed.”

Many of the celebrants also took time to walk through the hospital, offering comfort, support and a traditional “Hope” pin to other patients and family members who are currently battling cancer. Before the day concluded, each celebrant was personally honored and revered, on stage, in front of and along with their fellow five-year survivors.

“Celebrate Life is one of the most important and revered days of the year for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). It is a moment in time where we amplify our commitment to our patients and continue our long-established and joyful tradition of honoring our five-year cancer survivors for their fight, determination and courage,” said Scott Jones, President and CEO, CTCA in Chicago. “This group of men and women came to CTCA looking for powerful and innovative treatment options and found a level of care that embraced their individual and specific needs.”

For more information on Celebrate Life or CTCA in Suburban Chicago please visit: www.cancercenter.com/midwestern.