UPLAND – More than 225 community members, families and friends gathered on June 1 at the Crozer Regional Cancer Center in Upland in celebration of Cancer Survivors Day.

Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration of life held in communities throughout North America. Participants unite in this symbolic event to honor the millions of people who are surviving their cancer diagnosis and who demonstrate that cancer survivors are active and productive members of society.

During the celebration, physicians spoke about the latest advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and local survivors told inspirational stories about their battle with cancer.  In addition, awards were presented to individuals and to corporations who continuously support Crozer-Keystone’s fight against cancer.

Local residents were recognized for their contributions in helping to encourage others to fight the fight against cancer. Nancy Saporosa was awarded the “Celebrate Life Survivor Recognition award” while AstraZeneca’s Sally Maday, an oncology pharmaceutical sales specialist with AstraZeneca, received the “Celebrate Life Community Award.”    

Crozer’s event was generously sponsored by AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply healthcare services.  In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $9.6 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees.