Health and Community Services
June 6, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Minister Recognizes National Cancer Survivors' Day in Newfoundland and Labrador

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to recognize that yesterday was National Cancer Survivors' Day. With advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment more people are recovering and living longer lives following a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer survivors and their families joined representatives of Eastern Health, the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, Young Adult Cancer Canada and others at a community walk to celebrate the day.

Our government continues its work in close collaboration with the regional health authorities, school districts and community partners to support programs and policies aimed at prevention. This includes smoking cessation programs, sun safety campaigns and other healthy living initiatives under the Cancer Control Policy Framework. Eastern Health's Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment Program and the Canadian Cancer Society's Defy Cancer Program are two more examples of meaningful efforts to support survivors.

National Cancer Survivors Day is a celebration of life. It is an opportunity for survivors to celebrate and acknowledge those who have supported them along the way.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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2016 06 06                              1:55 p.m.