Community picnic held to celebrate cancer survivorship

In only a year, the cancer survivor event here at Oak Grove Park has grown from about 200 people to more than 500 and organizers expect it to only get bigger.

Cancer survivors and their family ate and checked out the latest in cancer therapies. It's all to raise money and awareness for MeritCare's cancer survivor program that coordinates treatments and appointments for cancer patients.

Two-time breast cancer survivor Diana Johnson says it's crucial to have these events to remember how to keep pushing forward.

JOHNSON: "It's all about surviving, and thriving, not just surviving, we want to thrive! And learn and grow and support each other and that's what it's all about!"

There's also a group of women here from Wahpeton who are called the "Sassy Survivors" and they have some words of wisdom for those who are going through things just like they went through.

“What doesn't kill ya makes you sassy!”

And tomorrow they're be celebrating one of the women for being cancer free for two years now. Tomorrow, we'll be live from MSUM for an American Cancer Society Relay for Life. It's a chance to celebrate cancer survivors, honor those who've lost the battle, and raise money to fight back against cancer.

Tags: reporter stories, stephanie goetz, fargo, health, cancer