SPRINGFIELD – Adrianne Haslet-Davis, a professional ballroom dancer who lost her lower left leg in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, will be the keynote speaker at the 18th Annual Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day, Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield.
“I refuse to be called a victim. I am not defined by what happened in my life. I am a survivor, defined by how I live my life,” said Haslet-Davis.
The former 500 corporate manager recently returned to the dance floor after having to re-learn her craft, giving an entirely new meaning to the word patience. Through her appearances on CNN, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” “The View” and other television shows – as well as at personal appearances before corporate and private audiences both large and small – she hopes her emotional honesty has served as an example to others looking to overcome adversity in their lives.
Haslet-Davis has been honored with the 2013 Med Star Gala Victory Award presented to her in Washington, D.C., and was recognized along with her first responders from the bombing scene at the 2013 Schwartz Center Gala in Boston. She has also been honored with an On Cue Tribute Award and was named one of Cosmo’s Most Powerful Women of 2013.
A CNN documentary detailing her first year after the marathon bombing, entitled “The Survivor Diaries” with Anderson Cooper, was recently nominated for an Emmy Award.
In addition to the keynote address by Haslet-Davis, participants will be able to select from two workshops on a number of topics, including “Breast Reconstruction,” “Hormone Therapy and Sexuality after Breast Cancer,” “Tai Chi – Regain 8 Years of Youth,” Safe and Effective Skin Care Products after Treatment,” “Why Laughter is the Best Medicine“ and others.
There will also be two sessions offered in Spanish only – “Yoga en Movimiento” and “Cómo enfrentar los efectos psicológicos y emocionales del cancer.”
This year’s event will again include an art display from the Rays of Hope-sponsored “Art from the Heart” program facilitated by Pat Hayes.
There will also be two interactive stations which participants can choose from during the day. In “Paint Social Art!” a local artist will guide painters – no experience necessary – in creating their own mini-painting which they can display at home. At the “Creative Card Bar,” women from Life’s Memories and More will assist participants in a do-it-yourself card making session.
There will also be networking opportunities throughout the day and the chance to visit with several exhibitors who will sell a variety of breast-related products and more.
A continental breakfast and buffet luncheon will be served.
Registration is required. The cost is $35 per person with the remaining dollars underwritten by the Rays of Hope. Parking will be validated for the Civic Center Parking Garage only.
For those unable to afford the fee, a limited number of scholarships are available for breast cancer survivors by calling Sandra Hubbard, NP, at the Rays of Hope Outreach Office at 413-794-9556.
For more information on the 18th Annual Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day, or to request a registration form, call 413-794-9556.
Also, for more information on Rays of Hope visit www.baystatehealth.org/raysofhope.
