If you or a loved one is a cancer survivor you don’t want to miss this inspirational event. Participants gather in a symbolic celebration of life to share their stories and rejoice in winning the battle against cancer. This unifying, victorious event is organized in communities throughout the U.S. and Canada and is typically held on the first Sunday of June. A cancer survivor (for the purpose of this event) is defined as anyone living with a history of cancer—from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.

Cancer does not discriminate and even with the stunning advances in treatments, there are still over 11 million people, in the U.S. alone, living with a history of cancer. Life after cancer is triumphant but as with any battle, it can leave scars, both physical and emotional—sometimes even financial. National Cancer Survivors Day® is an opportunity to discuss all the good, bad and ugly of this disease. For details in your community, check http://www.ncsdf.org/

One day, cancer will be eradicated. Until then, celebrate life and live a life to be celebrated.

To Reduce Your Risk of Cancer:

Eat Healthy

1. Improve your diet

2. New research shows that as many as one-third of all cancer deaths are linked to diet and physical activity.

3. Reduce dietary fat intake, especially animal fat, and replace it with fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains.

4. Limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks a day for men, and women should try to drink no more than one drink a day. Excess consumption is linked to increased risk of mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, liver and breast cancers.

Be Active

1. Moderate exercise at least three days a week can make a big difference in your health and well-being.

2. Research has shown that physical activity reduces risk of colon cancer by about 50 percent, and it plays a role in lowering risk of other cancers.

Get Screened

1. Early detection screening is key.

2. It’s estimated that screening can reduce breast cancer death by as much as 25 percent. Pre-cancerous growths can be detected early and removed, stopping the disease in its tracks. 

Don’t Smoke

1. Enough Said

Celebrity Cancer Survivors—

Cristina Applegate— After announcing her breast cancer diagnosis in 2008, Applegate had a radical mastectomy to prevent the disease from returning. Family history and a test discovering the gene BRCA1 drove her “tough” decision.

Sheryl Crow—After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, Crow released this statement. "Approximately 1 in 7 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and more than 2 million Americans are living with breast cancer today. I am joining the more than 200,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.” She underwent surgery and had radiation treatments as a precaution.

Betsey Johnson—Funky fashion designer Johnson discovered a small lump when a saline breast implant deflated during a massage. She underwent a lumpectomy and received radiation treatment and beat her cancer. “I was scared,” she said. She later went on to design a breast cancer awareness T-shirt, donating a portion of the proceeds to cancer research. She also is a spokeswoman for Cornell Medical Center, bringing hope and strength to those still fighting the disease.

Sharon Osbourne—When Osbourne was diagnosed with a colon tumor in 2002 she was given a 33% chance of survival. Beating those odds, she endured 8 months of chemotherapy and is considered one of the most famous cancer survivors of 2003. She has gone on to create the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars Sinai Hospital, helping those battling the disease pay for related expenses.

Fran Drescher—Actress and author, Fran Drescher, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2000. She was misdiagnosed for 2 years before getting the correct diagnosis. Fran immediately underwent a radical hysterectomy and has successfully recovered from the disease. She penned “Cancer Schmancer” to help people "to become more aware of the early warning signs of cancer, and to empower themselves."

Jodi Sammons Feil is a staff writer at EndlessBeauty.com. Jodi has been a creative professional for almost twenty years. She lives in New England with her husband and two children.