Today there are 11 million cancer survivors in North America, and the event is traditionally observed with a gathering of cancer survivors and their families for a celebration of life. A cancer "survivor" is defined as anyone living with the history of cancer from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.
The national observance of Cancer Survivors Day was founded by Merrill G. Hastings, Jr of Vail, Colorado, who first registered the name with the United States Patent and Trademark office on July 20, 1987.
Hastings created the event in honor of his wife, Priscilla B. Hastings, who was a survivor of breast cancer, and the first nationwide celebration was held on June 5, 1988.
This year Hastings announced that the program has been expanded to an International Cancer Survivors Day and will now reach into 109 nations worldwide.
"The cancer survivor of today," Hastings stated, "is the role model for the cancer patient of tomorrow, and the purpose of the new International Cancer Survivors Day is to include cancer survivors throughout the world."
"While celebrating living," he said, "cancer survivors everywhere can bring comfort to others while helping to ease the fear of the devastating disease."
There are over 100 different non-profit cancer support organizations in the United States, of which the most prominent are the American Cancer Society, Lance Armstrong Foundation, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation and International Cancer Survivors Day, Inc.
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