Newsroom

Nearly 200 cancer survivors, physicians and other members of the New York Methodist (NYM) community gathered on September 18 to celebrate life and wellness.

[NYM] Attendees at New York Methodist's Cancer Survivors Event enjoyed lunch while listening to the Berkeley Carroll School's Jazz Ensemble.

Attendees feasted on hot dogs, fresh fruit and other treats while the Berkeley Carroll Jazz Ensemble volunteered their time to perform for the crowd.

The celebration was also an opportunity for survivors to share their stories. Judith Fox, a 16-year survivor of ovarian cancer, delivered the keynote address. She used that platform to challenge the conventional wisdom that the disease is a "silent killer."

"I want to tell you that it is survivable," she told the crowd. "In 16 years, nothing has happened, and I wish you all the same—survival, not fear."

Alan Astrow, M.D., chief of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at NYM, called the celebration a show of "strength" by the survivors.

"It's a very scary moment when you find out you are going to be dealing with a diagnosis of cancer," said Dr. Astrow. "This is a celebration to mark that people can get through it and get back to their lives."

The speeches were followed by a band-lead march around the Hospital block, where survivors, family members and friends displayed their pride and resilience for all to see.

Rounding out the afternoon was a raffle, with a lucky handful of attendees taking home prizes such as museum and theater tickets, fitness class passes, spa kits and t-shirts.

[NYM] Led by the Berkeley Carroll School Jazz Ensemble, attendees at New York Methodist's Cancer Survivors Event participated in a march outside the Hospital.