Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Survivorship Celebration Brings Community, Care and Joy Together
A free, family‑friendly event at Dolphin Mall honored life beyond cancer through movement, connection and community‑centered survivorship care at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Sunshine, music and laughter filled Vivo! Plaza at Dolphin Mall on Saturday, May 2, as hundreds of people gathered for the 2026 Sylvester Cancer Survivorship Celebration. Survivors, families, caregivers, faculty and staff from across Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth — University of Miami Health System, came together for an afternoon dedicated to honoring life beyond cancer and the strength, resilience and spirit of those who have faced it.
The free, family-friendly event honored cancer survivors. Many shared deeply personal and inspirational stories throughout the day. Their voices reflected the reality of survivorship as a lifelong journey shaped by perseverance, support and hope.
Building Community Among Cancer Survivors, Families and Care Teams
From the moment guests arrived, the plaza buzzed with connection. Volunteers welcomed attendees, assisting with check-in and guiding families toward games, activity stations and supportive-care tables. Children immersed themselves in arts and crafts. Survivors reunited with care team members and fellow patients in an atmosphere that felt warm, familiar and celebratory.
Faculty and staff from across Sylvester were present throughout the event, engaging in conversations that extended beyond clinical care. These interactions reinforced the deep relationships that continue long after treatment ends.
Movement and Wellness as Pillars of Cancer Survivorship
The celebration began with movement, emphasizing survivorship as an active and evolving experience. Sylvester’s exercise oncology team led a strength training and stretching session designed for all ability levels. Survivors participated at their own pace, some alongside caregivers and family members, highlighting the role of physical activity in long-term well-being.
The session set the tone for the day, underscoring that survivorship care at Sylvester addresses the whole person, not just the disease.
How Sylvester Defines Cancer Survivorship Care
Frank Penedo, Ph.D., director of Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute (SSCI), welcomed the crowd and reflected on what it means to be a survivor.
“Survivorship is not defined by a single moment or milestone,” said Dr. Penedo, associate director for population sciences at Sylvester. “At Sylvester, survivorship means supporting individuals from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and into the rest of their lives, addressing physical health, emotional well-being and quality of life every step of the way.”
Dr. Penedo emphasized that Sylvester’s approach is rooted in research, innovation and compassion, ensuring survivors feel seen, supported and empowered whenever they walk through Sylvester’s doors.
Care Beyond the Clinic
Carmen Calfa, M.D., co-director of SSCI, spoke about the significance of gathering outside the traditional clinical setting.
“Events like this allow us to connect as people, not just as patients and providers,” said Dr. Calfa, a breast cancer medical oncologist and an associate professor in the Miller School’s Division of Medical Oncology. “They remind us why we do this work and give us the opportunity to listen, learn and celebrate alongside the survivors we care for.”
Dr. Calfa noted that moments of shared joy and conversation help strengthen trust and reshape the patient experience in ways that clinic visits alone cannot.
The afternoon continued with a mocktail demonstration led by the Sylvester oncology nutrition team. Attendees gathered as nutrition experts showcased colorful, refreshing drinks while sharing practical guidance on making healthy choices sustainable and enjoyable.
Music soon filled the plaza again as guests took part in a music and movement activity. Survivors clapped, danced and laughed together, rediscovering the joy of movement in a supportive, welcoming space.
Partnership at the Heart of Survivorship
As the event ended, Jessica MacIntyre, D.N.P., M.B.A., APRN, who leads clinical operations at SSCI, highlighted the importance of partnership between patients and providers, including through the Patient and Family Advisory Council.
“True survivorship care is built on partnership,” MacIntyre said. “When patients and families help shape how care is delivered, we create programs that are more responsive, more compassionate and more effective.”
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Tags: cancer and exercise, cancer survivorship, Cancer Survivorship Program, Cancer Survivorship Symposium, Dr. Frank Penedo, Jessica MacIntyre, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute