June 3 Lurie Cancer Walk

CHICAGO --- Cancer survivors, along with their family and friends, will celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day, Sunday, June 3, at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University’s 19th Annual Cancer Survivors' Celebration and Walk.

Video: Register for the Walk

Several cancer survivors and family members of survivors, with inspiring stories of hope and perseverance, will participate in the walk, including:

• Video: Heather Schumacher, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor
• Video: Jenna Benn, Grey Zone Lymphoma survivor
• Brandon Starkoff, recent brain tumor survivor, father of two young children
• Chris Draft, former Chicago Bears linebacker, who lost his wife, Keasha Draft, a non-smoker, to lung cancer in late 2011. The Drafts co-founded Team Draft, which is run by the Chris Draft Family Foundation, with the goal of supporting lung cancer research and changing the face of lung cancer as a “smoker’s disease.”
• Marc Chibnik, a Lymphoma survivor in urgent need of a bone marrow match. Chibnik has teamed with Be the Match, formerly the National Marrow Donor Program, to register potential new marrow donors, on-site during the walk, free of charge with a simple cheek swab.

The celebration begins in Grant Park at South Columbus Drive and East Balbo Avenue at 7:30 a.m., and the non-competitive three-mile walk steps off at 8:30 a.m.

Lurie Cancer Center physicians, scientists and health professionals will be among the 4,000 participants expected for a morning of festivities, including an opportunity to sign the Dedication Wall, a picnic, music and entertainment. No pledges are required. A $15 registration fee includes a t-shirt and refreshments. Registration is $25 on the day of the walk.

Register online or call (312)-695-1300.