Dr. Ghosh, left, with attendees at the 2019 Celebration of Life picnic.

The patient community has always been central to The Ghosh Center mission, and a shining example of that is the Celebration of Life picnic. At this annual event, past and present Ghosh Center patients and their families gather to interact with each other and Ghosh Center staff, enjoy an autumn grill-out, and celebrate life.

After two years off due to the pandemic, the Celebration of Life picnic is returning on October 9, 2022 at Wanatee Park in Marion. This year’s picnic is extra special in a couple ways.

First, 2022 marks the 10-year anniversary of the first Celebration of Life that was held the summer of 2012 at Daniel’s Park in Cedar Rapids. Since then, patients have been gathering at Wanatee Park in rural Marion each year for the picnic.

The Ghosh Center staff and patient community alike have found that interacting in the beautiful natural landscape of the park is a wonderful way to connect beyond seeing each other in an office treatment context. Family members and supporters are welcome, and the event provides a rare opportunity for patients to see each other in a fun, casual environment.

The second reason the picnic is extra special this year is that it’s the first one held since The Ghosh Center in Cedar Rapids closed in 2021. Dr. Ghosh partially retired and currently only sees patients at Compass Memorial Healthcare Marengo on a limited schedule, as he has been for over 10 years.

“The Celebration of Life picnic has been a great way over the years for our staff and patients to connect on a deep level that we’ve decided to keep it going as a legacy event that really symbolizes the core philosophy of the Ghosh Center which is putting patients first.” Says Dr. Ghosh. This sentiment is echoed by members of the Ghosh Center’s staff.

“The picnic is a great way to connect with patients and their families outside of the office. They enjoy meeting our families,” says Ghosh Center Nurse Practitioner Mindy.

“Patients really appreciated the great food and enjoyed seeing staff and other patients, current and former, outside of the office setting,” says LaNette, a long-time Ghosh Center nurse.

This year's Celebration of Life picnic is open to all current and former Ghosh Center patients, all cancer patients being seen at Marengo’s Compass Memorial Healthcare, and their families and supporters. It will be held at the Prairie Oak Lodge shelter at Wanatee Park south of Marion on Sunday, October 9 from noon to 3pm. Please RSVP to Terri by October 5th at 319-294-1899 ext. 1 or thamilton@theghoshcenter.org

The food is provided by a catering service that grills it fresh on-site. There is no cost for the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Celebration of Life picnic is back for 2022!