Starting today, September 3, 2020, I will set and remember 3 dates to commemorate my cancer survivors.
As of August 10, 2020 (as of September 3, 2020), I have a registry of 150 cancer survivors who have been in remission for 10 or more years under my care. Taking care of cancer patients, particularly facilitating their remission for 10 years at least, is one of the end-points in which I can say I have lived a life that matters.This is one of my legacies to my cancer patients!
I have used my Cancer Crusaders Club (every 1st Sunday of December since 1988) and National Valor Day (every April 9 since 2014) and lately, the National Heroes Day (every last Monday of the month of August – just started last August 31, 2020) to do psychosocial support to my cancer patients.
Today, September 3, 2020, I am making a new resolution:
I will set and remember 3 dates to commemorate my cancer survivors.
April 9 – Cancer Valor Day (one-month commemoration)
Last Monday of August – Cancer Heroes Day (one-month commemoration)
First Sunday of December – Cancer Crusaders Day
Here is my latest write-up / shout-out on Cancer Heroes Day (August 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020):
August 31, 2020
Today we celebrate National Heroes Day.
Among my heroes are my cancer patients who did bravery acts to survive the ordeal of cancer. They are my cancer survivors / heroes.
We can be heroes, just for one day.
We can be us, just for one day…
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
Excerpt from the famous song with the title: HEROES by David Bowie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXgkuM2NhYI.
On this day, I like to give a big shout-out to my cancer survivors – my heroes. Congratulations and more power to all.
Request: Pls. stand-up and be recognized by placing your names on the comment box. Thank you.
I WILL LET THIS POST STAY HERE UP FOR ONE MONTH up to September 30, 2020 to permit my cancer survivors / heroes to be recognized and to serve as an inspiration to other people. PLS. STAND-UP AND BE RECOGNIZED BY PLACING YOUR NAMES ON THE COMMENT BOX. IF YOU CAN, INCLUDE A LATEST PICTURE OF YOURSELF. THANK YOU.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157171650875800&set=a.10150211657970800&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=437934470501368&set=a.111964319765053&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/101366344680247/photos/a.101388618011353/191777445639136/?type=3
ROJ@20sept7
Update: December 8, 2023
Update: May 16, 2023
Recently, I discovered that the Philippine Department of Health is observing National Cancer Survivor Day on the first Sunday of June. This observation jibes with the international celebration. I researched on the Philippine activities. It seems that 2023 is the second year that DOH has such an observation of the National Cancer Survivor Day.
With this new discovery, for alignment purpose, I will follow the DOH National Cancer Survivor Day on the first Sunday of June. Whatever I wrote on April 9 being a Cancer Survivors Day will be relegated to the background or history already.
Let it be known though, that I dreamed of such a day for celebrating National Cancer Survivor Day as early as 2015.
SO_starting 2023 onwards -----
First Sunday of June - National Cancer Survivor Day (Philippines)
Last Monday of August – Cancer Heroes Day (one-month commemoration)
First Sunday of December – Cancer Crusaders Day