Saturday, June 13, 2009

Cancer Survivor Celebration


Today we were able to go into the press box at Kinnick Stadium for the annual cancer survivor celebration. None of us had been into the press box before. Last years event was at Hancher auditorium.
We were able to meet Coach Kirk Ferentz, the gymnastics and volleyball coaches. The kids also got to meet some of the women gymnast's, Herky & Perky and the cheer leaders.


Every cancer survivor at the event writes their name on a ribbon colored for their cancer. Leukemia is orange, and childhood cancer is gold. Simeon is very proud of being able to put his survivor ribbon among the other ribbons.

Even though this event is for adult and pediatric survivors it is mostly adult survivors that attend. Both last year and this year there were only 3 pediatric survivors there and we are friends with the other 2 kids-Olivia and Cameron.

At the event they had a kids craft, an parent craft, games for the kids, face painting, a Wii, food and a presentation. Simeon also received a survivor shirt.
When we 1st got there and met the coaches our picture was taken, and throughout the event we were able to see our picture on the big screen on the score board. The kids loved watching out for us. At the end of the event I was able to take a picture of our picture on the big screen!

We were also able to go out into the seats and see the brand new field. I'm not fond of heights-so that was not the best place for the kids to run around in.

Each year they have baskets that community business or individuals have donated. The cancer survivors are the only ones that get drawn for the baskets. They have baskets for adults and for kids. Simeon was the lucky winner of the Iowa Home Health care kids pool basket. (He won the basket last year too!)

It had a pool noodle, sunscreen, a big float, a towel, goggles and 2 water sprayers. The ladies that were there from the company were so incredibly nice. Ann was Simeon's nurse when he came home the 1st time on IV meds for a staph infection. We ended up using their company 2 or 3 times in one summer and except for 1 person, everyone there was so nice and helpful.
The event is put on by the Holden Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospital.

1 comment:

Janessa said...

What a neat event. You guys have been able to attend so many neat events like this and meet so many interesting people. You deserve every bit of it. We're so grateful that Simeon is doing so well! What an amazing boy he is...what an amazing family you are!