Laugh Out Loud:
Celebrate Survivors' Day June 6

Marcia Leonard, co-director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center Survivorship Program

Learn more about Survivors' Day

When Ed Ernst was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma, he was given a 2% chance of surviving. His wife, Peggy, was told more than once that he might not make it through the night. That was in 1999. Now cancer-free for more than 10 years, Ernst enjoys time with his six grandchildren, four of whom were born after his diagnosis.

"You're a cancer survivor from the day you're diagnosed," Ernst says. "It doesn't matter if you''ve just started treatment, if you've just finished treatment or if you've been finished for years."

Celebrate cancer survivorship alongside hundreds of cancer survivors, caregivers, health providers, family and friends at the Cancer Center's annual Cancer Survivors' Day. The theme, "Laugh Out Loud: A Cancerous Comedy," will provide an upbeat, positive time. Join the chorus of laughter from 1-3:30 p.m., Sunday, June 6, at Washtenaw Community College in the Morris Lawrence Building.

Ed and Peggy Ernst are longtime Survivors' Day attendees and members of the planning committee for the event.

"I was one of the ones to make it through," Ed Ernst says, "and I have to give something back."

The Ernsts said they almost didn't go to Survivors' Day the first time.

"We thought it would be a downer," Peggy Ernst says. "But there was a comedian that year and it was a lot of fun. He had us laughing until tears were running down our faces."

She says it was important for her and her husband to find humor in negative situations and to find support with others who are in similar circumstances.

"You have to find things to laugh about or you'd be crying all the time," she says. "The first time I attended the event, I felt so good. It was very uplifting." She also says the event provides camaraderie for both survivors and caregivers. "You find out you're not alone."

This year's Survivors' Day offers the opportunity to laugh with an award-winning one-woman show called "Jonna's Body, Please Hold." The performance features three-time cancer survivor Jonna Tamases, who takes the audience on a journey with a sassy receptionist who takes calls from disgruntled body parts.

"We want to celebrate survivorship, to celebrate being alive, to celebrate the moment," event coordinator Martha Laatsch says. "The number of people surviving cancer is growing and we want to continue to reach out to survivors as an institution with services and support."

After the presentation, there will be information tables on survivorship issues and caregiver support, along with light refreshments, door prizes and conversation available to attendees.

"No matter how grim a situation looks, as long as you're breathing, there's reason to celebrate and hope to be had," Peggy Ernst says.

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