On the first Sunday in June each year, the nonprofit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation rallies its forces and resources to promote National Cancer Survivors Day in the U.S. and worldwide, as it has done since 1988. The NCSD Foundation bills the holiday as a “celebration of life” where survivors — described as anyone who has a history of the disease, from the point of diagnosis through the remainder of life — gather with friends, families, and supporters to raise awareness, spread information, provide services, and honor other survivors, all to show that life after a cancer diagnosis can be full and fruitful.
Participating in National Cancer Survivors Day is an effective way to provide support and encouragement to those facing cancer in your congregation and around the world. Here are a few ways your faith community can participate.
Survivor’s Day Luncheon – This could be June 3, 2023
Many congregations sponsor a table with information for patients, survivors, and their family members.
Decorate a bulletin board, doors or tables with ribbons commemorating National Cancer Survivors Day.
Plan a worship service dedicated to National Cancer Survivors Day.
Use congregational communications to advertise the Survivors Day service.
During the Service
Recognize the congregation’s cancer survivors and their caregivers during the service. Invite the following groups to stand, one group at a time, in the following order:
o cancer survivors
o current caregivers of cancer survivors
o people who have cared for someone facing cancer.
o All those who know someone who is currently facing cancer.
This may also be an opportunity for supervised children to do something tangible to connect with a loved one with cancer.
Offer a joyful song of celebration dedicated to cancer survivors, sung by the cantor, congregation, or choir.
Dedicate a prayer in memory of those who survived cancer, but who have since passed away.
Select a special prayer, passage or poem affirming hope, faith, and life after a cancer diagnosis.
Display altar flowers, donated in honor of all cancer survivors and caregivers.
Invite cancer survivors to serve as ushers and greeters, identified with a “I’m a cancer survivor” or “I’m a cancer caregiver” badges or stickers.
Invite a cancer survivor to read scripture in the worship service. Consider asking the volunteer to walk out with the pastor to greet parishioners as they exit.
Invite cancer survivors and caregivers to stand and receive prayer.
Set aside a chapel or small worship space for candle lighting for survivors who are no longer with us and/or offer communion.
Name a cancer survivor to light Sabbath Candles.
Invite all survivors to come forward and share a blessing!
Hello CanCare Faith Community,
On the first Sunday in June each year, the nonprofit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation rallies its forces and resources to promote National Cancer Survivors Day in the U.S. and worldwide, as it has done since 1988. The NCSD Foundation bills the holiday as a “celebration of life” where survivors — described as anyone who has a history of the disease, from the point of diagnosis through the remainder of life — gather with friends, families, and supporters to raise awareness, spread information, provide services, and honor other survivors, all to show that life after a cancer diagnosis can be full and fruitful.
Participating in National Cancer Survivors Day is an effective way to provide support and encouragement to those facing cancer in your congregation and around the world. Here are a few ways your faith community can participate.
During the Service
o cancer survivors
o current caregivers of cancer survivors
o people who have cared for someone facing cancer.
o All those who know someone who is currently facing cancer.
Details