Cancer survivors unite at Kroger Field for annual celebration

The 11th annual UK Markey Cancer Center Survivorship Celebration draws record turnout

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – On Friday, cancer survivors, current patients, caregivers, and families gathered for the UK Markey Cancer Center’s 11th annual Survivorship Celebration, a day devoted to honoring their journeys and the battles they’ve faced together.

The event featured live music, guest speakers, and a variety of informational booths.

“It’s such a special time and we have patients who have come to every single one of them,” said Katie Brown with the Markey Cancer Center.

Among the crowd was Casey McKenzie, attending for the second year in a row. Diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago, and later with a type of blood cancer, McKenzie said the gathering reminds him he’s not alone.

“To meet other survivors and to be able to share their stories and be encouraged by what they’ve gone through as well. I don’t have the worst case, other people have been through a lot more and they still have a very positive attitude,” McKenzie said.

He described the shock of receiving a second diagnosis and how his outlook changed with time.

“It’s like what have I done to get this? At the time we had no grandchildren and I was just really praying that I’d live long enough to see one. We now have three granddaughters and I’ve learned to cope with it and also be able to reach out and support other people, that I never would have before if I didn’t understand what they were going through,” McKenzie said.

Organizers say this year’s event marked the highest registration turnout in its 11-year history.