By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
A celebration of life and victory over cancer will be held Sunday at First Church of Christ on 10th Street in Washington.
The event, held in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day, includes a Survivors Got Talent variety show, said Kristy Alligood, a clinical trial nurse at the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center.
The show, along with a fellowship reception, is open to cancer survivors, their families and caregivers. Survivors do not have to be treated at the Shepard Cancer Center in order to participate; all are welcome.
The event runs from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and reservations for seating are currently under way. Guests may register to be part of the audience through Friday.
Kristi Fearington, an oncology social worker at the center, will be the show’s mistress of ceremonies. The day promises acts featuring vocal performances, pet tricks, juggling and musical presentations by cancer survivors. Cancer center staff members also are putting together a special surprise finale, which they’re keeping a closely guarded secret, Fearington said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the list of performers and acts included piano medleys by Jo Roberson Parker and Frank Richards III; juggling by Nicole DaVia; vocal performances by Rebecca Gorham and Melissa Dixon; George Michaels Gioiella and Tommy and Mary Brabble; accordion music by Robin Potts and pet tricks by Lalla Sidbury and “pet partner” Kassey.
Also planned are musical performances by Ruby Bunch and her family band, shagging by Mary Lou Sheppard and Charles Dew, Dr. Seuss stories by Dr. Jennie Crews and “playtime” with Flossie Mae and Sudie Fae.
Rounding out the program will be performances by cancer center staff and volunteers, Alligood said.
This is the fourth-annual Survivors Day event hosted by the cancer center, but the first time a variety show has been included in the celebration.
National Cancer Survivors Day is observed in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, Canada and other participating countries, said Pam Shadle, director of marketing and public relations for Beaufort Regional Health System.
Anyone living with a history of cancer, from their diagnosis through the rest of their life, is a cancer survivor, according to the NCSD Foundation. More than 11 million Americans are living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis, and those numbers are increasing with major advances in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.
For more information about National Cancer Survivors Day and Survivors Got Talent, call 252-975-4308.