Viva La Vida for Survivorship Day

A special event in Santa Barbara, where both current cancer patients and those in remission celebrated life.

Music, face paint, good food and bingo filled Oak Park Saturday.

This is the 27th annual Viva La Vida event, the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, has put together for their patients and families.

Many come not only for the food and the fun but for the community. A safe place where they say others can understand their cancer journey.

Barbara Bartolome, wife of Victor, a cancer survivor said the Cancer Center has been part of their journey, “Years ago Victor was diagnosed with cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, a very rare type of situation, where a lot of doctors in the area didn’t know what it was” she said. “Then we were connected up with the Cancer Center Santa Barbara where we began treatments with them.”

A family who is currently in the middle of their treatments shared, “it’s nice to know that not everybody is alone in these type of situations and that it’s kind of a community driven thing”

The event was free for all who attended and took place right across the street from the Cancer Center.