Cancer survivors, patients and campaigners celebrated Britain’s first ever ‘Cancer Survivors’ Day’ last week at a special event held at Guy’s Hospital.
Twenty survivors who had been treated at Guy’s, St Thomas’ and King’s College hospitals put on a fashion show as part of the fun last Sunday. Live music was also played and guests were given tours of the hospital’s new cancer centre, which is due to open this autumn.
Jake West, 20, recently got the all-clear after undergoing treatment for a rare brain tumour for the last three years.
He said: “I walked down the catwalk for my mum, my friends and family, and the dedicated staff who supported me. It wasn’t just my cancer journey, it was all of ours, and I could not have done this if it wasn’t for them. I spent most of my teenage years living with a brain tumour, but, after a successful operation and tough recovery, I’m living my life again.”
The event was connected by a live video link with John Hopkins Cancer Center in Baltimore, USA, where Cancer Survivors’ Day has been held for 20 years.