Bassett Cancer Institute Celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day with Annual Survivors Day Luncheon
June 22, 2026
Bassett Cancer Institute and volunteers hosted 140 cancer survivors and their guests at Fenimore Farm and Country Village on Sunday, June 7, to commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day.
Each year, on the first Sunday in June, hospitals, support groups, patients, and their families come together across the country to celebrate life after a cancer diagnosis. June is also National Cancer Survivors Month. At Bassett Cancer Institute’s event, survivors and their loved ones gathered for a meal, a basket raffle, and a program that included uplifting remarks.
One of the speakers was Dwayne Durand from Frankfort, NY. Durand worked for the Bassett Cancer Institute in several different roles, and he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia earlier this year. He has since taken his career and his personal fight and combined them to provide passionate outreach in his community. Durand recently purchased a hearse, which he named “Hearsula,” that now serves as a rolling monument to the courage of cancer survivors. Each color on its flame wrap has a meaning. Purple is for pancreatic cancer awareness. Lavender represents patients who are cured, in remission, or in recovery. Orange is for blood cancer awareness.
“The signatures on the hood are from survivors and providers who want you to know that tomorrow needs you. Folks are here to cheer you on. We are here to encourage you and your family. We are here to provide you with information and connections. Most importantly, we are here to pray for you. It is our hope and prayer to keep you out of the back of Hearsula for as long as possible,” write Durand and his wife, Sue, about the vehicle.
At the end of Durand’s remarks, he shared the news that he is currently in remission and he invited those at the luncheon to go outside and add their names to the vehicle. Hearsula can be seen at many local car shows throughout the summer months.
Items for the luncheon basket raffle were donated by Bassett Healthcare Network staff, cancer survivors, local organizations, and others. There were enough baskets and items this year that every survivor who attended the luncheon took something home.
“On behalf of the Bassett Cancer Institute, I want to thank those who volunteered their time at this year’s event, who donated items for our annual raffle, and to the event sponsors,” said Breanna Ostrander, Cancer Service Line Coordinator at the Bassett Cancer Institute. “Not only do our survivors and their guests look forward to this luncheon each year, but so do the staff at the Bassett Cancer Institute. It takes a village to ensure this event runs as smoothly as possible and is a success, and I am grateful for all the help in making that happen.”
As it is every year, admission to this luncheon was offered free of charge to each survivor and their guest. Registration slots were filled weeks before the luncheon was scheduled. This luncheon’s popularity is a testament to the community built at Bassett Cancer Institute and the incredible care shown to each patient by their care team.
The caregivers at Bassett Cancer Institute work to ensure each patient receives the highest level of comprehensive cancer care. Medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists work together with nutritionists, social workers, financial counselors, and nurse navigators to develop treatment plans and meet each individual circumstance with compassion. To learn more about cancer care at Bassett Healthcare Network, visit bassett.org/CancerCare.
The event was sponsored by Eastman Associates, Inc., Onco360 Oncology Pharmacy, Unitex, and Tricia Asaro & Steve Kroll. Next year’s luncheon will be held at the Fenimore Farm & Country Village on Sunday, June 6, 2027. Registration will open in mid-April 2027.
