Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day

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Cancer survivors are more than their diagnosis.

They are an example of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination brought on by a fight — well fought and won.

Throughout the month of June, for National Cancer Survivors Month, we at Salud America! are honoring survivors by sharing their stories of sacrifice and triumph and focusing on ways to improve cancer outcomes for those battling the disease.

To kick off the month we are celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day.

Let’s explore what National Cancer Survivors Day is all about and learn about ways to participate!

What is National Cancer Survivors Day?

Every year National Cancer Survivors Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of June.

This year it will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Led by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, the day marks an annual Celebration of Life that serves as a call to action for further research, more resources, and increased public awareness to improve the lives of cancer survivors,” according to the day’s website.

The observation is for cancer survivors, and also caregivers, healthcare professionals, family members, and friends — anyone who is a part of someone’s survivorship journey.

National Cancer Survivors Day is recognized around the world in countries such as the US, Canada, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Thailand, South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and many more.

About the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation

The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation is a nonprofit that provides guidance, education, networking resources, and assistance to hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and more.

“The Foundation’s primary mission is to improve quality of life for cancer survivors by educating the public on issues of survivorship,” according to the foundation’s website.

Many organizations and individuals have donated to help the foundation with its mission.

Those interested in supporting the cause of advancing health and lives of survivors can donate here.

How to Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day

On National Cancer Survivors Day, take the time to educate and inform yourself on the issues associated with cancer and cancer survivorship.

For instance, the cancer survivorship journey is closely associated with the non-medical drivers of health, or the factors where you live, work, and play that impact your health and the kind of healthcare you receive.

Many survivors face hurdles to cancer treatment, including access to quality cancer care, transportation, lack of clinical trial access, mistreatment from healthcare providers, and lack of health insurance.

Not to mention the long-term physical and emotional impacts of cancer treatment, which include physical and mental challenges, fear of cancer returning, damage to relationships, and financial strife that affects the entire family.

Explore more about health issues and cancer by visiting the foundation’s webpage.

Another way to celebrate the day is by raising awareness.

Despite the strides in cancer care, including prevention and screenings, cases of cancer continue to go up, especially among individuals from overlooked communities.

You can raise awareness by speaking up “for more resources, research, and legislation to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors – during cancer treatment and beyond.”

Those looking to celebrate can also make celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day a community affair.

Find ways to engage your community in cancer survivorship and organize a local event with help from the foundation.

Learn from the Experience of Cancer Survivors

National Cancer Survivors Day invites millions of survivors and those living with cancer to “connect with each other, celebrate milestones, and recognize those who have supported them along the way.”

That is why we at Salud America! share the stories of cancer survivors:

• From Fluke to Survivor: How Angelina Vazquez Felsing is Contributing to Latino Cancer Research
• “I Couldn’t Feel More Blessed”: How Amber Lopez Found Hope Through Her Cancer Journey
• Alma Lopez: Better Health Through a Breast Cancer Clinical Trial
• Adan Reinosa: Colorectal Cancer Survivor Pays it Forward with Study Participation
• Minnie Morales: From Cancer at Age 20 to Life as a Survivor
• Gabe Canales: Cancer Survivor Strives to Change Men’s Health Culture
• Sally Diaz: Breast Cancer Survivorship Symbolizes Strength, Bravery

We also are a part of the first-ever cancer survivor leadership training program, which was launched at the 2024 ASCL conference.

This is a new initiative to teach cancer survivors to become research patient health leaders, who help others navigate the healthcare system and raise the Latino voice in research.

“You really have to have passion to become a patient [leader],” said Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vázquez of the University of Puerto Rico, co-leader of the new program. “It’s that desire to help others, that desire to speak for those who cannot speak, maybe because they’re not sitting at the table, or maybe because they’re not here anymore. It’s our role to continue the legacy and to have less people or no people at all die from cancer.”

Enroll in a Cancer Clinical Trial

There are more ways to make an impact on the health and lives of cancer survivors.

Enrolling in a clinical trial, which are studies that help researchers learn more to help slow, manage, and treat diseases such as cancer for the benefit of current and future family members, can help treat the disease or ease the side effects of treatment so that survivors can have a better quality of life.

Look to Salud America!’s clinical trial page to find a research opportunity or learn from role models who have participated in a trial.

Those looking for opportunities based in San Antonio can search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.

On a national level, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLINICAL TRIALS!

Survivor-Based Research Opportunities in South Texas

There are also research opportunities that focus specifically on the survivorship journey.

The Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship study, which is based at UT Health San Antonio, is examining the social, behavioral, mental, biological, and other influences on post-cancer life.

The study, led by Dr. Amelie Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio and Mays Cancer Center, is looking for Latino survivors age 18 or older living in South Texas who have completed primary treatment for breast, colon, kidney, liver, lung, prostate, stomach or cervical cancer.

Volunteers will participate in seven study visits over five years, each with assessment interviews, and some with blood draws.

“I think [participating in the study] has given me the opportunity to be able to help others to advance the research on cancer … I think it’s my obligation, my responsibility to [share my cancer story],” participant Rick Alvarado said.

To volunteer for Avanzando Caminos or ask questions, contact the study team at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio at 210-562-6514 or caminos@uthscsa.edu.

Volunteers are eligible for $50 per visit! Find out more on the Avanzando Caminos website in (English) or (Spanish).