On Sunday, June 2, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine will host over 2,500 cancer survivors and supporters at Grant Park for the 31st Annual Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K.
Held on National Cancer Survivors Day, this event includes a non-competitive walk or chip-timed 5K run along Chicago’s lakefront. Participants can enjoy T-shirts, refreshments, music and entertainment, skin cancer screenings, family activities, and an opportunity to share messages on the Dedication Wall.
“There are more than 18 million people living with a history of cancer in the United States,” said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine. “Thanks to the physicians and scientists taking bold steps to detect cancer earlier and develop new therapies, that number is expected to grow. This annual event gives us the opportunity to celebrate survivors and their families and renew our commitment to defeating this devastating disease.”
The celebration allows cancer survivors—wearing purple shirts—to connect and celebrate milestones with friends, family members, and medical professionals who have supported them. The event is open to everyone affected by cancer.
The Walk route covers approximately three miles along the lakefront path. Participants may return to Grant Park’s Arvey Field (northeast corner of Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Road) at their own pace.
Advanced registration is available online and strongly encouraged. Runners must register for the 5K race in advance; they can pick up their race bib with timing chip in Grant Park on the day of the event starting at 8 a.m. Day-of registration for walkers also begins at 8 a.m., with the 5K run commencing at 9:15 a.m., followed by the walk at 10:00 a.m., rain or shine.
All funds raised will support Lurie Cancer Center’s research and survivorship programs. Fundraising is optional with no minimum donation required.
WHAT: 31st Annual Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K
WHEN: Sunday, June 2 (National Cancer Survivors Day)
8 a.m. — Event-day registration and T-shirt pick-up opens
8:30 a.m. — Welcome, warm-up and celebration begins
9:15 a.m. — 5K run starts
10 a.m. — Walk starts
WHERE: Grant Park’s Arvey Field (northeast corner of Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Road), Chicago
WHO: Cancer survivorship experts from Lurie Cancer Center are available for interviews alongside cancer survivors such as David Berwanger—a head and neck cancer survivor—and Mike Hlavin—a three-time cancer survivor who discovered his melanoma through last year’s free skin screening.
