The Joy of Life
The 2003 Joan Karnell Cancer Center Celebration
Honoring and preserving life is more than a goal at the Joan Karnell
Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital. It's our mission. From
the moment you are diagnosed with cancer and become one of our patients,
you become part of our family. We're committed to doing whatever
it takes to offer you the best possible quality of life, no matter
what the diagnosis.
It probably comes as no surprise, then, that we celebrate life every
year on a summer day in June. Held on June 8, this year's Survivor's
Day Celebration brought together more than 400 cancer survivors, families,
and Cancer Center staff. With the historic Elm Garden as our backdrop,
we visited with one another, shared our experiences and, most importantly,
celebrated life. This year's festivities included presentations
from three cancer survivors, live entertainment, refreshments and
many gifts and prizes.
As survivors arrived, they were invited to view “Woven Ribbons,“ a
quilt with patches signed by survivors from last year's celebration.
The Moorestown Area Quilters assembled last year's patches into
a complete quilt that will be on display each year as part of our
annual Survivors' Day tradition. The quilt's pattern represents
the familiar ribbon pins that are often used as symbols of support
for cancer patients.
While survivors viewed the completed quilt, other attendees met members
of the local Dragon Boat team, who brought with them both their international
award as well as photos of their competitions. This year's displays
included chemo caps that were both created and donated by volunteers
as well as a series of artwork created by our patients as part of
our Art Therapy program. Mr. Magic, a local magician, also entertained
children and adults.
For those of you who may have missed our celebration, we offer the
inspiring words of Lynne Luttrell, a breast cancer survivor, and Jennifer
Vrana, a Philadelphia police officer who had a stem cell transplant.
Special thanks goes to Lynne and Jennifer as well as the many volunteers
who offered their words, time or talent to make our 2003 Survivors' Day
a success.
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