Cancer survivors celebrate life at Viva La Vida

Cancer survivors celebrated life at the Viva La Vida event at Santa Barbara City College on Saturday.

The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara with Sansum Clinic hosted the event for cancer patients, survivors, family members and friends.

The annual celebration brings out more than 1,000 people.

Activities include crafts, games, lunch and cupcake decorating.

“It’s really important for somebody who’s just begun their treatment who might be here to see somebody walking around with a button that says, ‘I’m a 20-year survivor.’ It provides hope for people who are current patients and it provides an opportunity for our community to just celebrate the strength of those in our community who have battled cancer and have had successful experiences with the disease,” said Lindsay Groark.

Many of the Cancer Center’s doctors, nurses and staff volunteered during the event, which gave patients an opportunity to say thank you.