Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day June 5, 2011

For Immediate Release Contact: Randy Blackburn Cancer Care Center 304.637.3640 or Meggan Sexton American Mountain Theater 304.630.3040 [email protected]

Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day® June 5, 2011

ELKINS, W.Va. – American Mountain Theater and the Davis Health System Foundation will celebrate the joy of cancer survival with several events on Sunday, June 5. Activities will include survival testimonials by Connie Hopper and Sheri Easter, two national Gospel singing stars who also are cancer survivors. Both Hopper and Easter also will perform later in the day as part of AMT’s popular Southern Gospel concert series. The Elkins Rotary Club will be serving BBQ Chicken meals for $7 each from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, or until they sell out. Connie Hopper and Sheri Easter, both of whom battled and defeated breast cancer, will give testimonials at 1 p.m., and at 1:30 p.m. several local cancer survivors will tell their stories. At 2 p.m. the Foundation’s Dan Bucher will talk about “The Davis House” and Rob Henline from West Virginia Radio Corp. will host a live remote. A number of activities for families are planned including a bounce house, free giveaways and a special “Hope Soars” ceremony where guests can create and launch a personalized kite commemorating cancer survivors. Cancer services agencies will be on hand to provide information about local programs and resources. Everything will take place in the Elkins Railyard, next door to AMT’s state-of- the-art theater. “Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way, and we want to celebrate these brave survivors,” said AMT President and Producer Kenny Sexton. “This will be a wonderful event, and we’re so blessed to have stars such as Connie and Sheri join us for it.”

49 Martin Street ● Elkins, West Virginia 26241 304.630.3040 ● fax: 304.636.7798 ● americanmountaintheater.com The Hoppers will perform at a sold-out show at 3 p.m., with Jeff & Sheri Easter performing at 8 p.m. Seats still are available for that show. A portion of the proceeds from the concerts will be given to the Davis Health System Foundation to help those fighting cancer locally. All of the activities in Elkins are part of National Cancer Survivors Day®, an annual event that takes place in communities around the world. It’s sponsored by the non- profit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation®, which expects 11 million cancer survivors to participate in activities on June 5. “This event is a first for the Foundation and the only one of its kind in WV. Join us as we celebrate life after cancer diagnosis, and the brave battle fought and won by so many in our communities,” said Dr. Randy Blackburn, radiation oncologist, and medical director of radiation oncology at Davis Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Care Center in Elkins. “We are happy to help our community play a part in this national event,” Sexton said. “It’s a great opportunity to support those who have gone through so much.” Chicken dinner tickets can be purchased in advance at the Cancer Care Center on Harrison Ave., Elkins, Clayton Homes located on the Beverly 5-lane in Elkins or at Mountain Hospice at 1600 Crim Avenue in Belington, WV. To order tickets for the Jeff & Sheri Easter show at AMT, call 304-630-3040 or visit www.americanmountaintheater.com. For more information on National Cancer Survivors Day®, visit www.ncsd.org.

49 Martin Street ● Elkins, West Virginia 26241 304.630.3040 ● fax: 304.636.7798 ● americanmountaintheater.com