People affected by cancer will be honored Saturday at the 15th annual Survivors at the Summit and Celebration of Life Ceremony at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, presented by Cancer Wellness House.
Cancer survivors and people who have been involved with the disease are invited to hike the 3.5 mile trail or take a free tram ride to Snowbird’s Hidden Peak to join the celebration. At the top, participants will be greeted by One Voice Children’s Choir and a sea of tribute flags.
The flags, modeled after traditional Tibetan prayer flags, are meant to honor people with cancer, survivors and those who have passed away.
“It’s a great opportunity to honor dear ones in some way,” said Jeffrey L. Thomson, a Lindon resident who will participate in the event. “I will do [it] mostly for my sister who lost the battle against cancer three years ago.”
The Cancer Wellness House is a home-like setting offering emotional, social and wellness support to those living with cancer, surviving cancer and their family members.
“Programs and events like this are designed to encourage individuals to actively participate with others in their quest for improved quality of life,” said Terri Goldstein, Executive Director of Cancer Wellnes House, Inc.
Guided hikes to the summit will leave every 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. from the Plaza Deck. Tram rides to the summit will be available every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and noon.
“Survivors at the Summit is a meaningful way to celebrate physical and spiritual triumphs over the disease and to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer,” Goldstein said. “It gives people a chance to come together for love, friendship, celebration or remembrance in an inspirational and recreational event.”
The Celebration of Life Ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. on the top of Hidden Peak. The ceremony will feature Layton resident Ginger Johnson, who is the founder of Happy Chemo! and Utah Cancer Connections magazine, as well as a Survivor Ambassador for Pink Together. Michelle Marthia, a Millcreek local whose motto through her cancer journey was “rock your baldness” and “embrace each stage of the journey,” will also speak at the ceremony.
Associated Foods is sponsoring a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the Snowbird Center Plaza Deck.
Cancer Wellness House volunteers will team up with Snowbird’s chefs to offer plates of pancakes to fuel the journey. Live music will be performed on the Plaza Deck courtesy of the Dunmore Lasses, and children can enjoy spending time with the Utah Grizzlies mascot, Grizbee.
Registration prices vary and information is available at www.cancer-wellness.org, or by calling 801-236-2294.
All registrants will receive a tote pack, T-shirt, water bottle, pancake breakfast, tram ride to Hidden Peak (for non-hikers) and a tribute flag. The pancake breakfast is $4 per person. Individual tribute flags are $20 and may be purchased online or at the event. All proceeds go to Cancer Wellness House.
