THE FOUNDING OF CANCER WELLNESS HOUSE

In 1997, after the first summit, those same individuals founded Cancer Wellness House - now known as Survivor Wellness. Holy Cross Hospital donated the use of the building at 59 S 1100 E in Salt Lake City, which formerly held the Holy Cross Foundation, and, prior to that, was the private home of the Montgomery Family for 50 years.

The founders of Cancer Wellness House knew that the programming offered at the newly-established nonprofit improved quality of life and health outcomes for the cancer survivors who walked through the doors.

In that day and age, if you received a cancer diagnosis, you generally went to the hospital and returned home, hoping for the best. But the founders knew that the services provided at the “59 House” were remarkably helpful in treating the effects of cancer treatment on not only the physical, but also the mental, emotional, social and spiritual health of the people who engaged in the services. Programming at that time included group support, counseling, yoga & meditation and therapeutic bodywork - massage, acupuncture, reiki - that were not offered at hospitals and clinics at that time.

In fact, the mission statement of Cancer Wellness House included - and still includes - the words “in a home-like setting”, to ensure that the impact of the setting would always be an important part of the mission.

In 2020, the name changed to Survivor Wellness, but the mission remained the same - to provide services and support for those impacted by cancer in a home-like setting.

Visit Survivor Wellness to experience this in person. We are grateful to Holy Cross Hospital Salt Lake City and Common Spirit Health for donating the use of the houses and gardens out of which we operate.

SURVIVORS AT THE SUMMIT - THE NEXT GENERATION

Now officially known as “Survivors at the Summit”, the journey to King’s Peak continued for at least ten years. In 1998, Snowbird offered the use of Hidden Peak as a second Summit location, for those who were unable to make the arduous, three-day journey to King’s Peak.

The trademark yellow Tribute Flags - donated by Jack Kirkham of Kirkham’s Sporting Goods and Springbar Tents, and screen-printed by students at Skyline High School - were displayed at the summit of Hidden Peak, and the Celebration of Life became an annual summer tradition from 1998 through 2023.

In 2024, a new tradition began, as Survivors at the Summit moved to Brighton Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. With 400 registered participants, thousands of Tribute Flags, breakfast, lunch, hikes and activities, lift rides and views and the moving Celebration of Life, this day in the mountains supports Survivor Wellness.

The 2025 Summit was held on Sunday, July 27, with over 350 registered participants in attendance from 8am-3pm. Participants carried their Tribute Flags as they hiked, rode the Majestic lift, mountain biked or rode one of the 2 shuttles from The Alpine Rose to Snake Creek Lodge, and as they made their way to The Yurt at the top of Majestic ski lift on self-led or guided group hikes. Yoga teacher/teacher trainer, founder of Yoga Forward and cancer survivor Denise Druce delivered the Keynote speech at the Celebration of Life, with Miky Ottonelli and Roberta Mixon offering their perspectives as members of Survivor Wellness. Once again, thousands of tribute flags carried moving messages to the Wasatch Mountains.

In addition, Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a mayoral proclamation declaring that date “Survivors at the Summit Day” in Salt Lake City.

We are honored to be recognized for the impact of this event and the work we do at Survivor Wellness.