History of Celebration of Life
In 1987, cancer survivor Richard Bloch (co-founder of H&R Block) and his wife, Annette, held their first Cancer Survivor Rally in Kansas City, Missouri, to obtain media coverage that would demonstrate to the world that life after cancer can be a reality. The idea soon caught on in other communities and has come to be known as National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD).
National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual, worldwide Celebration of Life that is held in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, Canada, and other participating countries. Members unite in a symbolic event to show the world that life after cancer can be a reality.
In most areas, National Cancer Survivors Day is traditionally observed on the first Sunday in June. Celebrating its 19th year in 2006, NCSD is the world’s largest and fastest-growing annual cancer survivor event.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has been participating in National Cancer Survivors Day with its Celebration of Life Event since 1993.
