Celebrate Life^®

Each year in early June, a special event called Celebrate Life^® takes place at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center. It’s a graduation, homecoming and reunion all rolled into one. This extraordinary celebration commemorates the five-year anniversaries of cancer survivors who treated at Midwestern.

The two-day event includes a welcome reception, a ceremony honoring five-year survivors and a luncheon party. The ceremony and party are held on the grounds of the hospital in enormous tents.

We put a unique spin on each year’s event. Themes have included “Laugh, Love, Live,” “Walking on Sunshine” and “Some Kind of Wonderful.”

Celebrate Life^® emanates energy, emotion and all around warmth of the human spirit. And while hugs happen at Midwestern every day, during Celebrate Life^® they are especially plentiful.

Two Grand Days

The festivities kick off with a welcome reception the evening before the big day. CTCA staff greet survivors and their families who return to their destination for healing and hope—Midwestern. Old friends (survivors, caregivers and employees alike) reunite. New friends mingle, exchanging stories of how they fought cancer and discussing the new “leases on life” they’ve discovered as survivors.

The next morning, attendees are treated to a breakfast at a local hotel, where most out-of-town guests stay. Celebrants then take a shuttle bus to Midwestern. When they arrive, CTCA President & CEO Steve Bonner welcomes everyone and explains the significance of a highlight of Celebrate Life^®: The tree planting. One tree is ceremoniously planted onsite at the event, which survivors (with shovel in hand) pose by for pictures. Money is then donated to the hospital’s hometown—Zion, Illinois—which plants a tree for each of the survivors in one of its parks.

All of the survivors then gather for pictures. First comes a group shot, followed by individual photos of the ceremonial tree planting. CTCA executives rally around survivors for these photos, including Mr. Bonner; Richard J Stephenson, CTCA Founder and Chairman; and Anne Meisner, President and CEO of CTCA at Midwestern Regional Medical Center.

Next, it’s on to the show—a two-hour extravaganza featuring speeches from some of the honored survivors, as well as uplifting messages from Mr. Stephenson, Ms. Meisner, and Rev. Percy McCray, Jr. The ceremony also includes keynote addresses from guest speakers, such as Linda Armstrong Kelly (mother of Lance Armstrong, seven-time champion of the Tour de France and testicular cancer survivor).

After the speeches and a few video screenings, survivors garner a round of applause as they are called to the stage to receive a commemorative plaque. The ceremony then concludes with inspirational words from Rev. McCray, and is followed by a festive lunch with live music.

Small Tokens, Big Heroes

One tree is planted in honor of each five-year survivor who completes treatment at Midwestern.

Ms. Meisner notes, “We offer the opportunity for you to come back and plant a tree as a symbol of your fighting spirit, and also as a symbol of hope for the years to come.”

Each survivor also receives a special Celebrate Life^® plaque as a small token of appreciation for entrusting their care in CTCA and inspiring every CTCA employee.

In addition, each survivor’s name is inscribed on the golden leaves of the Tree of Life in the hospital’s lobby. Many patients cite the Tree of Life as a source of inspiration from the moment they enter the doors of Midwestern. They are absolutely driven to get their names on that tree.

Survivors & Thrivers

Each and every one of our survivors has a truly awe-inspiring story to share. And while we wish that all of them could tell their stories to the hundreds who attend Celebrate Life^®, time only allows for a handful to speak at the ceremony.

Courageous survivors who shared their captivating stories at Celebrate Life^® 2007 included Linda Fairchild (colon cancer survivor), Robbie Robinson (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor), Joanne Benton (ovarian cancer survivor), and Annette Turner (breast cancer survivor). Watch video clips now of their motivating speeches. Or, read what some of our other survivors say below about Celebrate Life^® in their personal accounts of surviving cancer.

Susan Ginther

“Ever since Celebrate Life^®, I have been walking on sunshine. I start off each day by playing Katrina and the Waves’ 'Walking On Sunshine,' which was the theme of the event. And, my new favorite flower is none other than the sunflower. Sunflowers were everywhere at Celebrate Life^®. What can I say? I am hooked!”

Read Susan’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Rose Sajuan

“In 2001, I reached my milestone of five years cancer free! I attended my own Celebrate Life^® ceremony with other cancer survivors. I planted a tree of life and had my name put on a beautiful plaque. What an awesome day to know I had reached my goal! It was incredible. My youngest son, who was stationed at nearby Fort Sheridan, was able to attend my ceremony. To see my son there dressed in military garb was awesome. My husband was there, along with two of my best girlfriends. My regular doctor, Dr. Vashi, was also there, and I was able to thank everyone who helped me.”

Read Rose’s Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Sherry Scoffield

“The Celebration of Life were a few of the most inspiring days of my life. Two men that had treatment at the same time as me were also there. They were survivors too! My husband and I symbolically planted a tree of life.”

Read Sherry’s Endometrial Cancer Survivor Story