UCI Health hosts 16th annual Adult Cancer Survivor Holiday Party
Patients, physicians, nurses and volunteers gather to celebrate
December 03, 2015
For patients, physicians, nurses, volunteers and family members, the UCI Health Annual Adult Cancer Survivor Holiday Party is the most exciting event of the season. Now in its 16th year, what started out as a casual potluck lunch shared by a couple of nurses and a few patients, has grown into a festive celebration and formal dinner attended by hundreds.
Hosted by the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, more than 300 people are expected at this year’s party, where they will enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner, entertainment, raffle prizes and more.
“Our patients look forward to this event every year as a special opportunity to share the camaraderie they feel and to celebrate life with other survivors,” said Nancy Eagan, senior director of cancer center operations. “They also love seeing their doctors, nurses and social workers in a social setting. The party is a pleasant contrast to the clinical setting, and gives patients and their family members a chance to enjoy themselves in the company of those who helped them through their journey from illness back to health.”
Dr. Richard Van Etten, director of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Leonard Sender, director of clinical oncology services, will speak. Dr. Edward Nelson, chief of the division of hematology and oncology, will reveal the winner of this year’s Dr. Ronald Koons Humanitarian Award. This annual award recognizes a cancer center employee or volunteer for providing outstanding patient care through innovative means or exceptional service or leadership.
The party will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel at 100 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868.
UCI Health comprises the clinical, medical education and research enterprises of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access UCI Health at physician offices throughout Orange County and at its main campus, UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, Calif., a 411-bed acute care hospital that provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, behavioral health and rehabilitation. U.S. News & World Report has listed it among America’s Best Hospitals for 15 consecutive years. UC Irvine Medical Center features Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program, Level I trauma center and Level II pediatric trauma center, and is the primary teaching hospital for UC Irvine School of Medicine. UCI Health serves a region of more than 3 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the University of California, Irvine: Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
