News Center

Juanita Lawrence scanned the crowd while her grandchild climbed through one of the inflatable play areas at the Comprehensive Carnival, a free community event held by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Lawrence was one of more than 1,000 community members who turned out to celebrate Massey's achievement as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The family-friendly carnival was held April 20 at the VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center.
 
“It is so exciting,” said Lawrence with a smile. “I was just so pleased to see the great turnout, to see the community coming together, everybody coming here to support the exact same cause and just to lift everyone up and to lift up the cancer center.”

The carnival took place directly following the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K presented by Kroger, where Massey also served as the event’s official charitable partner. The carnival included free food; games like ring toss, tic-tac-toe and basketball; prize giveaways; bounce houses; balloon artists; face painters and more.

“I didn’t have any kids with me but still had fun,” said Vanessa Spurlock, a breast cancer survivor who received treatment at Massey. “Just to see what Massey can do. I'm always going to support it because they've been so good to me.”

Massey director Robert A. Winn, M.D., and Advisory Board chair and patient advocate Becky Massey delivered brief remarks thanking the community and emphasizing the importance of comprehensive designation during the event.

Representatives of Massey’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement team, as well as its clinical trials, development and volunteer teams, were available to answer questions about the programs and what comprehensive status means for the communities that Massey serves.

They also shared information about how interested community members can get involved with Massey programs, including Massey’s Cancer Champions, which is dedicated to creating the spaces for community members and researchers to come together, to build relationships and partner.

“I decided to be a Cancer Champion because initially during my diagnosis, I told very few people,” Spurlock explained. “I felt like it was just overwhelming, and I just couldn't say much. It was just a lot to say. But then I found out that my being silent worked for me, but it didn't work for me to help other people.”

Lawrence, who worked at Massey in the early 2000s, said the team spirit within the cancer center was evident at the carnival. She credited it for Massey’s comprehensive achievement and reputation in the community.

“Massey allows everyone to be heard,” Lawrence said.

Written by: Blake Belden and Amy Lacey