HCA Florida North Florida Hospital hosted its annual butterfly release ceremony on Friday in recognition of National Cancer Survivors Month, bringing together cancer survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, hospital staff and community leaders to celebrate resilience, hope and healing.
The event, held on the hospital campus at its duck pond in Gainesville, featured remarks from hospital leaders, recognition of cancer survivors and caregivers, and a ceremonial butterfly release honoring those whose lives have been touched by cancer, according to an HCA press release.
June is recognized nationally as National Cancer Survivors Month, a time dedicated to celebrating survivors, supporting those currently undergoing treatment and acknowledging the families, caregivers and healthcare teams who provide support throughout the cancer journey.
“Our cancer survivors remind us why our work matters,” said Dr. Alex Gumiroff, chief medical officer at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, in a press release. “Thank you to our cancer care team, nurses, physicians, colleagues, volunteers and everyone whose compassionate care and commitment make a difference for patients and families every day.”
Butterflies, often seen as symbols of transformation, resilience and hope, served as the centerpiece of the ceremony and reflected the experiences of many cancer survivors.
During the event, the hospital also presented the Blood Cancer United Hero Award to Dr. Zeina Al-Mansour in recognition of her dedication to supporting patients and survivors affected by blood cancers.
Hospital officials highlighted advances in cancer treatment that have enabled more patients to achieve remission and live longer, healthier lives. Through its cancer program, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital provides coordinated care and support services designed to guide patients and families through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
“Every cancer patient’s story is unique; no two cancer patients are the same,” said Dr. Trey Perkins, a radiation oncologist at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, in the press release. “Today and every day, we celebrate the fighters and survivors who show us a hope that’s powerful, that resilience does matter and even the most remarkable outcomes come from patients and their families who just refuse to give up.”
The hospital is part of HCA Healthcare’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, which provides patients access to a nationwide network of cancer specialists and advanced treatment options. The network treats more than 130,000 cancer patients annually, employs more than 190 oncology nurse navigators, delivers more than 900 radiation treatments each day and performs more than 200,000 inpatient and outpatient cancer-related surgeries each year.
One of the ceremony’s featured speakers, who was a cervical cancer survivor, Heidi Ratliff-Walker, reflected on her journey and the support she received from family, friends and healthcare providers.
“Since September, I have been off treatment,” Ratliff-Walker said in the press release. “Crossing that line was scary, but I keep thinking about a quote close to my heart: ‘It’s times like these when we learn to live again.’ Standing here today, five years and seven months after starting my first treatment, I truly feel the weight of those words. We aren’t just surviving anymore; we are learning to live again.”
The ceremony concluded with the reading of a National Cancer Survivors Month proclamation from Gainesville City Commissioner Ed Book, followed by a collective butterfly release honoring survivors, patients and loved ones affected by cancer.
