HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, part of HCA Florida Healthcare, hosted its annual butterfly release ceremony on Friday, June 5 in recognition of National Cancer Survivors Month, bringing together hospital leaders, physicians, colleagues, cancer survivors, loved ones, community members and representatives from the City of Gainesville.
June is National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to honor those who have survived cancer, support those recently diagnosed and recognize the families, caregivers and care teams who walk alongside them. Butterflies symbolize transformation, resilience and hope — a meaningful reflection of the strength shown by those touched by cancer.
“Our cancer survivors remind us why our work matters,” said Dr. Alex Gumiroff, chief medical officer of HCA Florida North Florida Hospital. “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.”
As part of the ceremony, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital recognized the strength, resilience and hope of people living beyond a cancer diagnosis. The program also included the presentation of the Blood Cancer United Hero Award to Dr. Zeina Al-Mansour for her support of blood cancer patients and survivors.
Cancer care continues to evolve, enabling more people to experience remission and live longer, fuller lives. HCA Florida North Florida Hospital’s care teams support patients and families through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, with a focus on coordinated, compassionate care close to home.
“Every cancer patient’s story is unique, no two cancer patients are the same,” said Dr. Trey Perkins, radiation oncologist at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital. “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.”
HCA Florida North Florida Hospital is part of HCA Healthcare’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Network. Through the network, cancer patients have access to a connected network of care and highly specialized services, regardless of which community they call home. Clinical records are shared across the network, helping support a seamless experience for patients at HCA Healthcare facilities.
HCA Healthcare’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Network:
- Treats more than 130,000 cancer patients each year across the U.S., delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care.
- Has more than 190 oncology nurse navigators who guide patients with expertise and compassion throughout their cancer journey.
- Provides more than 900 daily radiation treatments, making Sarah Cannon one of the largest oncology networks in the U.S. and helping ensure access to advanced therapies close to home.
- Performs more than 200,000 inpatient and outpatient surgeries annually, combining surgical excellence with innovative approaches to improve cancer outcomes.
Often, the bond between cancer patients and their caregivers is unbreakable. This year’s ceremony celebrated those connections, including the relationship between survivors, loved ones and the care teams who supported them throughout their cancer journeys.
“Since September, I have been off treatment,” said cervical cancer survivor Heidi Ratliff-Walker. “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, 5 years and 7 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. I am so thankful to my incredible care team, friends, co-workers and family for helping me learn to live again.”
The ceremony concluded with a reading of a special proclamation for National Cancer Survivors Month from Commissioner Ed Book from the City of Gainesville, followed by cancer survivors and attendees releasing butterflies together in honor of survivors, patients and loved ones affected by cancer.
To learn more about HCA Florida North Florida Hospital’s expansive oncology care offerings and to learn about how we support our cancer survivors, visit our website.