Breast cancer survivors, supporters celebrate Friday

Breast cancer survivors and UI Health staff dance outside the hospital during the Pink Glove Dance Competition in 2014. Photo: Hossein Fatemi/UI Health

Breast cancer survivors and the people who care for and about them will be celebrated Friday at UIC’s first Breast Cancer Survivor Appreciation Day.

The free event, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the courtyard across Taylor Street from UI Hospital, will include dancing, music, refreshments and information.

Invited are breast cancer survivors, families and friends, and supporting UI Health and UIC faculty, staff and students. More than 150 are expected. All are encouraged to wear pink.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to open our doors, bring our resources and community resources, and share with our patients and the community,” said Dawn Ellen Smith, communications director for the UI Cancer Center and one of the organizers.

“We have such a large population of breast cancer patients and survivors throughout the community that we work with and are trying to impact. We’ve received a lot of feedback that they want to be engaged in the work we’re doing.”

The event will include a line dance by Fre2Dance and an African dance performance and movement workshop by Ayodele Drum and Dance.

Food and beverages will be provided — “something on the light and healthy side,” Smith said — courtesy of UI Health, the Cancer Center and the UI Center for Breast Care.

Representatives of several cancer support groups, including Imerman Angels, Bright Pink, Gilda’s Club Chicago, the American Cancer Society and the Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task Force, will be on hand.

Physicians and survivors will speak at a mini-forum. There will be a raffle and breast cancer survivors will receive gift bags.

In case of bad weather, the event will be held in UI Hospital conference rooms 1130-1135.