Survivors and patients currently undergoing treatment were honored at Maimonides Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team

Maimonides Health hosted its 14 annual “Cancer Survivors Day” event at Maimonides Park in honor of cancer patients and survivors who have received treatment at the hospital. Following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual event returned to celebrate the gift of life and recognizes the adversity patients face during and after their battle with cancer. The event included food, live music by the Mazel Tov Cocktail Band (featuring Maimonides’ oncologists), and speeches from Kenneth D. Gibbs, President & CEO, Maimonides Health; Kevin Becker, MD, Chief Division of Hematology Medical Oncology; and Patrick Borgen, MD, Chair, Department of Surgery. Free shuttle bus service was provided from the cancer center, and families from across the city were invited to attend.

“To be a survivor, one definition states that the person must cope well with the difficulties in their life. That is exactly what Makhi did at age 14 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor,” said Shari Feinberg, Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Maimonides. “Despite having to be taken out of school and isolated from his peers even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Makhi smiled all the way through his treatment, consisting of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, through any obstacles thrown his way. He developed a close bond with the staff in the department that still holds true to this day and often jokes with the providers when he comes to the clinic. He embodies the spirit of our practice, and this is why he was chosen as an honored survivor.”

“The symbolism of Cancer Survivors Day is incredibly important to us at Maimonides,” said Kenneth D. Gibbs, Maimonides President and CEO. “It is a day for us to honor the brave people who have overcome, and those who are currently battling, a disease that most people could not imagine facing. Just as importantly, it gives us an opportunity to give our patients and their loved ones a respite to celebrate their fight alongside family, friends, and the incredible staff at Maimonides.”

As part of the special event’s programming, the following survivors and patients were honored as 2022 Cancer Survivors Awardees:

• Makhi Williams
• Lisette Caesar
• Christine Rodriguez
• Areita Guy