Wellstar hosts annual Cancer Survivor Day
Published 9:45 am Saturday, June 7, 2025
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On Friday, Wellstar in LaGrange took the mound to strike out cancer for local survivors with a fun baseball-themed event.
The annual Cancer Survivor Day is a way for Wellstar to support people with cancer throughout their journeys, even after treatment ends. The fun event encourages current and former patients to return for continued support on their cancer journeys.
The event enables caregivers at Wellstar to keep in touch with survivors because compassionate care doesn’t end with remission.
This year’s theme —Strike Out Cancer— serves as a rallying cry for cancer survivors, fighters and caregivers.
The event also honors the bravery and strength of survivors every day, commemorating each milestone in their journey. Although National Cancer Survivors Day was Sunday, June 1, locally Wellstar chose to host the event on Friday.
Organizers said they have held the event on the official day in the past, the first Sunday in June, but the day was difficult for many local survivors, so it was moved to Friday, organizers said.
“We are proud to pay tribute to the people who have conquered cancer and offer hope to those still fighting,” Wellstar said, announcing this year’s theme.
“On Cancer Survivors Day, we reflect on our patients’ journeys and cherish victories over cancer. We also offer compassion and support for people currently fighting cancer, so they and their loved ones know they’re not alone,” said Wellstar Director of Oncology Professional Practices Melissa Higdon.
Locally, survivors gathered at the Enoch Callaway Cancer Center for food, fun and recognition, along with information and support from caregivers.
Wellstar’s Stephanie Hand, who helped organize the event, said Survivor Day is one of their three big annual events for cancer survivors. Next up is Paint the Town Pink, LaGrange’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness event, being held this year at Lafayette Square on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. The year will close out with their Christmas Survivor Dinner at the Oakfuskee Conservation Center on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
“All the survivors that come here for treatment, we’ve seen from the beginning. When they come in from the hospital. We see them through infusion, radiation and other treatments … it lets us keep in touch,” Hand said. “We just bring all of them in as a family, because we’re all a family. We’re here to care for them, and just to celebrate survival.”
