'We're all in this together' - Cancer survivors celebrate hope

Hundreds of cancer survivors came together in a celebration of hope at Guy’s Hospital on Sunday 5 June. 

Cancer Survivors’ Day 2016 saw more than 750 people including patients, staff, families and friends enjoy live music and entertainment, exhibits, tours of the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s, which is due to open in September, and a very special fashion show.

Sharon Clovis, 51, is a prostate cancer nurse specialist at Guy’s Hospital. She was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and was one of 15 cancer survivors who modelled in the fashion show.

She says: “Even though I’ve been working with cancer patients for more than 16 years, my own diagnosis came as a complete shock. I knew I wanted to be treated at Guy’s and I’ve been cared for so well.

“Getting involved in Cancer Survivors’ Day has been brilliant. It has been so much fun to meet all the other survivors in the fashion show. I’ve learned that no matter what, there is always someone that is worse off than you, and that you’re never alone. We’re all in this together.”

Cancer Survivors’ Day is an international event which is held on the first Sunday in June in many communities around the globe. The UK’s first Cancer Survivors’ Day celebration was held at Guy’s last year.

Sir Hugh Taylor, Chairman of Guy’s and St Thomas’, was at Cancer Survivors’ Day to officially welcome guests.

He said: “Cancer Survivors’ Day is a celebration of hope and was delighted to see so many patients, families, friends, and staff come together to mark this special day.

“We’re hopeful that the treatment and care we provide to patients continues to progress and develop so that each year we will see more and more patients surviving cancer and living longer with the disease.”

Cancer Survivors’ Day concluded a weekend of celebrations at Guy’s Hospital that included a fundraising abseil down the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s.

Professor Arnie Purushotham, breast cancer surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Director of the King’s Health Partners Comprehensive Cancer Centre, says: “This was only the second Cancer Survivors’ Day celebration to be held at Guy’s and in the whole of the UK, but already it feels like a time-honoured tradition.

“The feedback we have received from patients and staff puts into words what an emotional and inspirational celebration it is, and depicts everything we’re trying to achieve for cancer survivors, their families and friends, and everyone who has come into contact with cancer by celebrating hope on this day.

“We know the event will continue to grow and grow and we can’t wait to be able to share the experience with more people each year.”

Cancer Survivors’ Day was supported by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity which supports cancer care and services locally and has also helped to fund Guy’s Cancer Centre with £26.7 million.