Posted on Jun 30, 2017 in
MEDICAL FOCUS
Michael Werenski, Dylan, Terry and Chris Siebenaler.
More than 300 cancer survivors and guests joined staff and physicians from Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital on June 2nd to celebrate the 30th annual National Cancer Survivors Day® at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square.
The tropical-themed event, titled “Survivors: Let’s Wipeout Cancer,” featured a resource fair, live music, fun dancing and a delicious, healthy Hawaiian luau luncheon, with KHOU 11 news anchor Shern-Min Chow serving as emcee.
“This event is always a remarkable celebration of life,” said Amy Sebastian-Deutsch, director of oncology services. “These are amazing people who have demonstrated incredible strength and courage, and we are proud to honor their achievements and thank their caregivers, including the family members, friends and physicians who supported them along the way.”
In attendance were members of the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital oncology team who were able to celebrate former and current patients. A group of Houston Methodist Sugar Land employees led guests in a line dance to the 1960s surf tune Wipe
Out. After lunch, motivational speaker/singer LaDonna Gatlin, sister of the famed Gatlin Brothers, performed, Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh!
The event also honored Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s volunteer of the year Linda Ruggeroli — a cancer survivor herself — who gives tirelessly to others undergoing cancer treatment. “In spite of her diagnosis and treatment, she has continued to visit other survivors in the radiation oncology department, the infusion center and the inpatient oncology unit, along with her husband Mike and her two pet therapy dogs, Lilly and Annie,” Chow told the audience.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are currently more than 15 million cancer survivors in the U.S. today. Thanks to research and technology, many forms of cancer are now seen as chronic, survivable illnesses, due to earlier detection and more effective treatments. National Cancer Survivors Day® events held around the country allow survivors to come together and celebrate life.
Sugar Land-based Minute Maid joined Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Sugar Land Marriott Town Square to make the event possible.
Visit houstonmethodist.org/cancer-sl to learn more about the Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land or call 281.274.7500 for a physician referral. Visit the Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.
