#MyCancerStory: Ukraine will celebrate Cancer Survivors Day
Cancer Survivors Day is a day when people who've been diagnosed with cancer, as well as those who support them, celebrate small and big victories on this difficult path. Every year around the world, this day is celebrated on the first Sunday of June to support and inspire cancer patients. Thanks to the Inspiration Family Foundation, Ukraine is joining the international holiday for the third year in a row.
People with a history of cancer are all those who've experienced combating cancer. These are primarily the patients themselves: those who've just learned about their diagnosis, are being treated right now, or have left the disease in the past. In total, there are more than a million cancer patients in Ukraine, but in fact, there are many more people in the anti-cancer team, not only patients but also their relatives, friends, and, of course, doctors.
This day makes all people struggling with cancer visible to society and the state, defends their rights, and proves to those who are just beginning treatment that it's worth fighting for life and there's always someone to support them.
"Our society isn't used to thinking that cancer patients can be happy, and we're trying to prove that it's not the case. It's necessary to celebrate small and big victories, support each other and celebrate life. It's much easier to go this way," says Anna Uzlova, the Foundation's director.
People and their stories are at the center of this day, which is why, every year, an all-Ukrainian flash mob with the hashtags #MyCancerStory and #MyCancerStoryUA starts on this day. Within its limits, all people who've had experience in their lives in the fight against cancer as a patient, relative, friend or doctor, tell their stories on social media. All to prove that it's possible to overcome cancer and life after diagnosis can be happy. On the occasion of the holiday, the organizers launched its official website, where they collected stories of people who've undergone cancer treatment and told about their experience in the media or on their own social pages. The history library will be regularly updated so that those who face a cancer diagnosis can find positive examples and set themselves up to overcome the disease.
To create a festive atmosphere, inspire cancer patients and give them positive emotions, the organizers have developed several sets of motivational temporary tattoos and managed a photoshoot for patients, their families, and doctors. Their stories will appear on the Day's website on June 6.
The information campaign for Cancer Survivors Day will last all of June.
Inspiration Family is a charitable fund to support adult cancer patients. They make cancer understandable to society, protect patients' rights, and inspire them to live, despite the cancer diagnosis. Among their initiatives: Cancer Survivors Day, Cancer Forum, Race for the Cure, Goodbye Hair project, Cancer World Lecture, Facebook Cancer Support Group, and many more. The fund's purpose is for every adult Ukrainian who has encountered cancer to know how to beat it.
