Cancer survivor Nadia Estes releases doves at the close of the Festival of Life ceremony on June 5 at Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad on USC's Health Sciences campus.

A pair of novelty T-shirts worn by a couple in the crowd said what a lot of people were thinking: "Cancer Sucks."

But there was another message made loud and clear at the 20th annual Festival of Life: "There is hope." Rather than being printed on sturdy cotton, that message was worn on the faces of more than 700 cancer survivors and family members gathered on the USC Health Sciences Campus on June 5. Held in recognition of National Cancer Survivors Day, the event was hosted by the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital.

Art Ulene, a Norris Cancer Center advisory board member and former Today Show medical correspondent, was there for the very first Festival of Life in 1991, and says the event took on a whole new meaning when he received his own cancer diagnosis about 10 years ago.

Back again to emcee this years gathering, he said the event is more than a way to honor cancer patients past and present.

"Its a celebration of the extraordinary work being done by the doctors and the researchers who are here," Ulene stated. "Its a celebration of the people who have helped us get through an experience with cancer. Its a celebration of the future, a message of hope to patients in the hospital right now."

Also speaking at the event was Rick Selby, professor of surgery at the Keck School of Medicine, another physician who had his own bout with the big C. He said the Festival of Life helps raise enthusiasm for active research that is changing the way doctors treat cancer.

"What is truly revolutionary is the advent of more selective medical therapies, whether they be targeted antibody therapies or selective blocking drugs that dont have the toxicities they did before," Selby remarked.

Among the acts providing the days entertainment was The TestosterTones, a Keck School student a capella singing group. Youthful, fresh-faced and energetic, group member Robert Martinez is not exactly what you think of when you hear colon cancer, but he said his experience with the disease and his treatment at Norris has given him one of the best tools a doctor can have: empathy.

"It helped me redefine the doctor-patient relationship, having the perspective of the patient first and now going into medical school," said Martinez, a third-year student at Keck who hopes to inspire other people facing similar struggles.

Breast cancer survivor Nadia Estes of Asuza was one of two former Norris patients asked to share their experiences and words of encouragement. She stressed the importance of self-education and choosing the right treatment center. "For those of you who are about to embark on your journey with cancer, I urge you to love yourself, to learn about your disease, to surround yourself with positive people, communicate with your doctors andmost importantlydont forget to laugh."

The program concluded with the ceremonial release of 100 Doves of Peace.

Dedicated exclusively to treating cancer patients, USC Norris Cancer Hospital is affiliated with the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 39 centers in the United States designated as comprehensive by the National Cancer Institute.