Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center to Host Event Honoring Cancer Survivors; “The Art of Healing” to Feature Concert by New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Art Shows
Berkeley Heights, NJ (PRWEB) June 02, 2017 -- In support of National Cancer Survivors Day®, Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center will host “The Art of Healing,” a special event honoring cancer survivors on Thursday, June 8, 5:30 – 8:00 PM at its 1 Diamond Hill Road campus in Berkeley Heights. The free event will feature inspiring stories of cancer survivorship, an uplifting concert by a chamber ensemble of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and an intimate meet and greet with artists of the “Visions of Hope” and “Voices of the Journey” art exhibits. Individual registration is required at http://www.survivors-thrive.com.
Anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life – is a cancer survivor, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day® Foundation. In the United States alone, there are more than 15.5 million people living with a history of cancer. This represents 4.8 percent of the population, as cited by the National Cancer Institute.
Community events across the globe during the first week of June will honor cancer survivors and show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be fruitful, rewarding, and inspiring.
“Survivorship is part of the continuum of care that we are committed to providing to all patients here at Summit Medical Group,” says Jeffrey Le Benger, MD, Chairman and CEO, Summit Medical Group. “Within our multidisciplinary patient-centered healthcare model, Summit Medical Group patients have access to enhanced cancer treatment, including MD Anderson’s world-renowned treatment protocols, extensive clinical trials and cutting edge research.”
“Major advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment have resulted in longer survival, and therefore, a growing number of cancer survivors,” says William T. DeRosa, DO, FACP, Chief of Oncology, Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center. “As we carry out the mission to advance and integrate quality cancer care, we strive every day to transform how healthcare and cancer treatment is delivered to our patients and to increase the number of cancer survivors.”
“National Cancer Survivors Day reminds all of us at Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center of our patient-centered mission,” adds Carol Boyer, RN, MSN, APN, CN-BP, AOCNS, Clinical Program Manager and a certified breast nurse patient navigator for Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Our event will be filled with joy, hope, camaraderie, and compassion as we acknowledge our community’s cancer survivors. We also will recognize the contributions of their families, friends, and healthcare providers and raise awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by many cancer survivors today.”
Cancer survivors will share their personal stories of how life after a cancer diagnosis can be beautiful, abundant and fulfilling. Shannon Vick, a young mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 33-years-old and 27 weeks pregnant with her fourth child, will be among the survivors who will share their inspiring stories. “The integrated care and collaboration, as well as the seamless communication between my obstetrician and oncologist and the teams at Summit Medical Group was vital in getting me through my cancer journey,” shares Mrs. Vick.
The “Art of Healing” event will feature a special performance by a string quartet from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO), which is presented through the NJSO’s Music and Wellness Program and made possible by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The event will also present the acrylic paintings, photographs and sculptures by and for cancer survivors in “Visions of Hope” and “Voices of the Journey,” with several artists in attendance.
For a curated display to appear in the new Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center in Florham Park, cancer survivors are invited to bring a keepsake from their journey – a note of encouragement, a photo, a favorite coffee/tea mug – to inspire others on their journey to healing.
Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The event is free and open to all cancer survivors, friends and family. To register, visit http://www.survivors-thrive.com or call the Summit Medical Group events hotline at 908-277-8889.
Visit NCSD.org for more information about National Cancer Survivors Day, and The National Cancer Institute for resources and information on survivorship.
About Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center
With a special emphasis on continuity of care, the Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center was formed in 2016 through a partnership between Summit Medical Group (SMG) and MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide fully integrated, multidisciplinary cancer care for patients in northern New Jersey and the tristate area. An extension of MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper in Camden, New Jersey, Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center is clinically integrated with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper joined MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a program of MD Anderson Cancer Center, in 2013. Summit Medical Group is one of four partner members of the network and contributes to MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer. For more information, visit http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/service/Oncology-Center/.
About MD Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. The institution’s sole mission is to end cancer for patients and their families around the world. Last year, more than 135,000 individuals came to MD Anderson for not only the largest clinical trials program in the world, but for its signature multidisciplinary care. MD Anderson in Houston employs almost 21,000 cancer fighters, including nearly 1,700 physicians and scientists.
Media Contact:
Natalie Thigpen
Summit Health Management
nthigpen(at)shm(dot)net
(908) 977-9501
Natalie Thigpen, Summit Health Management, +1 (908) 977-9501, [email protected]
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