Is there any more inspiring symbol of perseverance than Philadelphia’s own Rocky Balboa? The organizers of Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital (FCCC at TUH)’s Survivors’ Day celebration certainly don’t think so—which is why the event featured a Rocky video, photo booth, and cardboard cutout.
The memorabilia matched the broader theme of this year’s celebration, which was ‘A Ride Around Philadelphia.’ Attendees wore Phillies and Eagles jerseys, while the space was decorated with ribbons drawn by the fourth and fifth graders at Upper Perkiomen 4-5 Center in East Greenville, PA. The students made their ribbons lavender—the color of survivorship—then decorated them with Philadelphia themes.
“The ribbons were so inspiring, imaginative, and uplifting,” says Paula Veneri, RN, MBA, CPHQ, FCCC at TUH’s Operations Manager. “Our team loved all the Philly images, and we know our patients found much joy and comfort in seeing these ribbons.”
“Our patients deserve to be celebrated for their determination and positive attitudes despite going through their difficult cancer journey,” agrees Shelby Burns, MA, RD, CSO, LDN, the Cancer Center’s Oncology Nutrition Care Coordinator. “Our staff loved being able to take a day to honor our survivors!”
Providing Resources, Making Connections
“There were about 175 survivors and family members at the celebration,” estimates Oncology Social Work Supervisor Rosemary Nagy, LCSW, OSW-C. “That includes former patients as well as those in treatment, as you’re considered a survivor from the day of your diagnosis.”
The event featured multiple tables staffed by FCCC at TUH clinicians, who provided information about resources and health screenings. “Our patients really enjoyed getting to talk to their providers in a more relaxed environment outside of a typical doctor’s appointment,” Nagy says. “We also partnered with Gastroenterology to give out FIT tests, and the Biosample Repository Facility worked with patients as well. In addition, Dana Wynne, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner at FCCC at TUH] assisted with scheduling eligible patients for low-dose CT screenings.”
“I also invited the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Community Empowerment & Opportunity,” adds Oncology Patient Care Navigator Melissa Hutchison, OPN-CG. “They were able to send a wonderful staff member to Survivors’ Day who provided participants with resources the city offers to assist with finding food, paying household bills, and other essential services. Many cancer patients are affected financially by their diagnosis, and this impact can continue after their treatment is finished, so connecting them to these resources is important.”
“We were also able to coordinate with the Tuff Fund to bring student athletes from Temple University’s football and basketball teams to volunteer at our event,” Hutchison continues. Students from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University were also in attendance.
Fun and Fellowship
In addition to celebrating their achievements and learning more about our available resources, our participants were also able to enjoy delicious food. In keeping with the Philadelphia theme—and thanks to Burns’ hard work and coordination with our Nutrition Department—Survivors’ Day featured a number of treats, including hoagies, cheesesteak eggrolls, soft pretzels, and tomato pie.
Burns and Chef Jeffrey Klova also hosted a food demo for attendees, cooking an organic wheat berry salad and a garlic shrimp scampi over spaghetti squash while discussing healthy diet recommendations. “Everyone was pleasantly surprised that eating healthy didn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor—proven by the bowls that were licked clean by the end of the demonstration!” Burns says.
“We wrapped up our day with our basket raffle, which is always a crowd favorite,” says Wynne. “This year, we received numerous generous donations not only from Temple colleagues, but from family members, friends, and local businesses. It was such a joy to see so many patients and their loved ones walk away with such incredible baskets.”
“Survivors’ Day is just as meaningful for the staff as it is for our patients and survivors,” says Roxana Taveira, Associate Vice President of Oncology Services. “The staff really come together to plan the event and collaborate with each other to not only make it a fun day, but to ensure that the survivors receive useful resources and information as they continue through their survivorship journey. It’s really become the highlight of our year—and once it’s over, the team begins to plan for next year’s event!”
“Each year, we try to one-up the previous Survivors’ Day in hopes that we can continue to grow, provide more resources and education, and host a bigger celebration,” Burns agrees.
“We can’t wait to continue making Survivors’ Day bigger and better to celebrate our cancer survivors and their families and friends,” Wynne says.