Saint Clare's Health Sponsors Its Annual National Cancer Survivor's Day Brunch

Annual National Cancer Survivor's Day Brunch

Saint Clare's Health recently sponsored its annual Survivor's Day Brunch on June 9 at the Rockaway River Country Club. Over 140 survivors and their guests were treated to brunch, complementary medicine, a basket raffle, and encouraging words by Christine Ferdinand, founder of the Operation Bling Foundation. Staff and community friends volunteered to help make this a meaningful event. Brandy Johnson, MSW, of the Center for Cancer Care at Saint Clare's, oversaw the event. "The phrase 'cancer survivorship' was created to describe the broad experience of the cancer continuum of living with, through, and beyond a cancer diagnosis by the National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship," said Ms. Johnson. "Each of these attendees are surviving in their own way. This allows them all to share support and friendship in the celebration of life," she added.

Survivors were welcomed by the staff of Saint Clare's and were provided with a bag with a variety of items. One of them was a handcrafted bag by the Calais School. The theme of this year's program was "Hope Lifts Us Up." This was manifested by a kite theme. All attendees signed a kite and added a ribbon to its tail. The quote "Don't ignore the small things – the kite flies because of its tail" was on the wall above the sign inactivity. "Some attendees state they look forward to coming to this day, not only for themselves but to see those they had not seen since treatment or last year at this event," said Ms. Johnson. A wide range of support was shown by businesses, community organizations and individuals: each of the tables was adorned by a beautiful flower donated by Denville Sunrise Rotary Club and provided by Morris County Farms. Survivors each received a raffle ticket for a chance to win over 80 baskets and gift certificates that had been donated by the following:

Operation BlingThe Urban MuseCalifornia Beach HutWishPure BarreGenesis HealthcareVisiting Nurses Association of North New JerseyCare OneCompassionate Care Hospice

Music was provided by Ben Colenari, who has donated his time for the past 12 years for this event. The ice cream was donated by Denville Dairy and a beautiful cake with this year's theme was donated by The Rockaway River Country Club.

Complimentary services such as chair massage, hand massage, and Reiki were provided for the survivors. Additional supportive vendors such as Jenni's Crafty Creations, Breanna Johnson and Origami Owl and Chris Ferdinand of Operation Bling sold items and donated gifts for the raffle.

About Operation Bling Foundation

Christine Ferdinand, the founder of Operation Bling Foundation, was the guest speaker and fought back tears as she looked at all the individuals who had been "blinged" during their cancer journey. It was her inspiration to begin this foundation that allows hospitals and cancer centers to apply to be bling hosts. Hospitals are then provided with jewelry to give their cancer patients. Since the inception of Operation Bling 11 years ago, over 2,000 individuals have been "blinged" during their cancer journey. The jewelry is at no cost to the hospital or the recipient. Operation Bling holds fundraisers throughout the year to help provide jewelry to the facilities.