I had the honor of attending livestrong day at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital in my former hometown of Philadelphia, PA! The City of Brotherly Love lived up to its reputation thanks to the hospitality of Theresa, Marylou and Mary Pat!

For their livestrong day event, they sponsored a fund-raiser for the LAF–employees donated $5 to be allowed to wear jeans for the day.

It was great to meet so many enthusiastic and friendly people. I was once again reminded how many talented people are working in cancer care. I have so much respect for these professionals who have dedicated their careers to helping others. They are truly heroes!

As part of my visit, I was given a tour of the hospital, which was the nation’s first!! It was founded in 1751 by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin. I was particularly interested to see the surgical ampitheater where surgery was performed in front of an audience without the benefit of anesthesthia!! Can you imagine? It made me wonder–won’t it be a great day when we view this time of so many people dying from cancer as equally unthinkable!

Thanks to everyone who participated in livestrong day and is helping us move a little bit closer to that cancer-free world.