Cancer survivors and their families gathered for a day of celebration June 2 on the grounds of Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

The event, dubbed Shepard Family Fun Day, was hosted by Vidant, the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center and the Shepard Cancer Foundation.

More than 200 people were on hand for the festivities, including 90 cancer survivors, according to Pam Shadle, director of marketing, community outreach and development for Vidant Beaufort. Similar celebrations have been held for more than 10 years.

“This gives us the opportunity for our survivors and their families to be together in a very relaxed, comfortable, fun setting,” Shadle said. “It’s important for people to be able to come to the cancer center, but not for treatment, to have fun.”

Participants ranged in age from 4-year-old grandchildren of survivors to folks in their eighties. A meal was served and activities included dancing, massages, games, art projects, face painting and cake walks.

The planning for the event was orchestrated by the cancer center team, Shadle noted.

“That’s what I think is so special about it; they all had a hand in planning this special day for survivors and their families,” she said. “I just can’t say enough about our cancer center team. They care so much about their patients and their families.”