Members of the Yées Ḵu.oo Dance Group perform at the Cancer Survivors Day walk on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Overstreet Park. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire file photo)

Members of the Yées Ḵu.oo Dance Group perform at the Cancer Survivors Day walk on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Overstreet Park. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Thank you

Each June, people around the world commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day. Cancer Connection hosted a walk and celebration in Juneau on June 8th. We appreciate those who braved the rain and wind to make this annual event a huge success.

Thank you to the bagpipers and drummers who led the walk between Marine Park and Mayor Bill Overstreet Park: Rai and Sue Behnert, Amy Bibb, Mary Kelly, Dan McCrummen, Jake Marnon, and Jon St. Claire. We appreciate Fran Houston, who did the land acknowledgment, Nancy Barnes, and Yees Ku.Oo Dancers who inspired the crowd, and members of the U.S. Coast Guard 17th District who grilled the lunch and provided the bell for survivors to ring to celebrate the end of their cancer treatment. Thanks also to Birger Baastrup for taking photos, Sonny Mauricio for taking videos, and the Southeast Alaska Independent Living ORCA program for loaning their water jug.

National Cancer Survivors Day provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer — including more than 18 million in the U.S. — to connect with each other, celebrate milestones, and recognize those who have supported them along the way. Together, we can make a difference.

Jean Findley

Cancer Connection Office Manager

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

Win Gruening (courtesy)
My Turn: The millions add up. CBJ, get a grip on spending.

Ignoring essential basic services while spending money on projects and services that few want or need doesn’t make Juneau more affordable

(Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Murkowski bought time for a new governor to do better

The senator said she added a provision that delays new federal penalties on Alaska for its high error rate in processing SNAP benefits.

Alexander B. Dolitsky
My Turn: When a writer’s courage against antisemitism shook a nation

Courage is doing what is necessary even when it’s difficult or scary.

Juneau Empire file photo
My Turn: At least you feel bad about the bill

Sen. Murkowski, you cannot say you voted with Alaskans in mind.

Cynthia Fancyboy (Courtesy photo)
My Turn: Cutting Medicaid hurts Alaska’s small villages and our children

Without Medicaid, I couldn’t afford the doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and hospital stays that have kept me healthy and working for Alaska’s kids over the years.

From left, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) head to the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025. Senate Republicans were racing on Tuesday morning to lock down the votes to pass their sweeping tax and domestic police bill, after an all-night session of voting and negotiating with holdouts left Trump’s agenda hanging in the balance. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)
My Turn: Murkowski’s moment of shame

She has no excuse for not following the model Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., set when he killed Joe Biden’s biggest initiative in 2021.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about his decision to veto House Bill 57 during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Governor deposits a veto to help predatory lenders

Thousands of Alaskans get so squeezed on their finances every year that… Continue reading

Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)
Opinion: The key to a stronger fund: Diversification

Diversification is a means of stabilizing returns and mitigating risk

Most Read