National Cancer Survivors Day '97

FRANKLIN, Tenn--National Cancer Survivors Day 1997, the world'slargest cancer survivor event, is set for Sunday, June 1. This10th anniversary Celebration of Life will recognize America's7.4 million cancer survivors and those who support them.

More than 650 communities throughout the nation will hold celebrationson June 1. The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, whichsupports the celebration, recognizes a "survivor" asanyone living with a history of cancer, from the time of diagnosisthrough the remainder of life.

The day means "picnics and parades, concerts and carnivals,tree plantings, building camaraderie, and sharing survivor stories,"the Foundation said in a press release.

"National Cancer Survivors Day means that I'm not alone,"said Rae Marie Bozzo, a newly diagnosed breast cancer survivorfrom New Jersey. "It means that I have a lot of company andcan go to meetings with others who share my experience, whichI find uplifting."

The celebration had its beginnings in Kansas City when cancersurvivor Richard Bloch (co-founder of H&R Block) and his wifeAnnette held their first Cancer Survivor Rally to obtain mediacoverage that would demonstrate that a diagnosis of cancer isnot an automatic death sentence.