Yale Pediatric Oncology and The Tommy Fund, with support by the Yale Cancer Center and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital will host their 6th annual pediatric survivorship event

New Haven, CT –June 18, 2015--Yale Pediatric Oncology and The Tommy Fund, with support by the Yale Cancer Center and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital will host their 6th annual pediatric survivorship event.

Yale Pediatric Oncology and The Tommy Fund, with support by the Yale Cancer Center and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital will host their 6th annual pediatric survivorship event – Wild West Barbecue -- on June 20th at the Carriage House at Edgerton Park in Hamden, Connecticut. It is a celebration of pediatric oncology survivors, whose mission is to impart knowledge and information about healthy lifestyle choices as a cancer survivor.

The free event runs from 12 -3 and attendees range from patients still receiving therapy to those many years out, who come with their own children. All pediatric oncology patients and their families are welcome to attend. Also attending are the many pediatric oncology doctors, nurses, social workers, child life specialists and other hospital staff who remain connected to these survivors during treatment and for many years afterwards. Dr. Kadan-Lottick, one of the organizers of the event, explains that “We become very close to the whole family during therapy, One of the great joys of being a pediatric oncologist is watching the children move past their illness, grow up, and live life to the fullest. Cancer is a journey, not an event, and we remain committed to helping our patients where ever they are on their journey.” The event is held rain or shine, and will have a wild west themed photo booth, pony rides, tattoo “branding”, and a water gun shooting range. A favorite activity is the dunk tank where patients can dunk their doctor. There is free food, catered by Uncle Willy’s Barbecue and Est Est Pizza food trucks. There are also activities to give survivors tools to optimize their long-term health. There are cooking demonstrations, massage and aromatherapy, and guidance on how to navigate health issues after cancer treatment is finished.

Many community organizations will participate in this event and include The Tommy Fund, CancerCare, Circle of Care, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Camp Rising Sun, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Friends of Karen, Smiles for Smilow, Make-A-Wish of Connecticut, Sunshine Kids Foundation, Colin’s Crew, Childhood Cancer Kids, and Don’s Hat Rack.

Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH) offers Connecticut’s largest and most comprehensive array of maternity and pediatric services. With 213 beds, YNHCH includes neonatal intensive care units, a pediatric intensive care unit, a 24-hour pediatric emergency room and a pediatric surgery center. YNHCH, with campuses in New Haven and Bridgeport, is part of the nationally recognized Yale New Haven Hospital, a 1,541-bed not-for-profit teaching hospital affiliated with Yale School of Medicine. YNHH’s York Street campus and associated ambulatory sites are Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition to its inpatient units, YNHCH has two Pediatric Specialty Centers in New Haven and others in Norwalk, Greenwich and Trumbull to provide specialty care to children closer to their communities. www.ynhch.org