It hides and fights and cuts quickly through families, societies, and countries. It is indiscriminate. It does not care about race, or color, or creed. It attacks the poor and powerful alike, the peace-keeping and war mongering with equal speed and veracity.
It leaves behind stories - of struggle and pain, of love and strength, of loss and of survival. And we think of it as a hungry monster, an invisible beast, a dragon that must be slayed.
It robs us of our false control, and gives to us a true understanding of what matters in life, that life matters.
It is Cancer.
And it leaves no one untouched. There are some who have fought the beast directly and won. There are others who have lost. And others still who have stood by the side of loved ones in their struggle. I have lost an uncle to leukemia, a dear family friend to lung cancer, and in college, a close friend to lymphoma. My grandfather has a slow growing form of cancer that he has carried for years. When I was young, a boy I knew was diagnosed with leukemia and died a week later.
There is no rhyme or reason to Cancer. It chooses without regard to age or lifestyle and it has no clear time or path. It is unpredictable and daunting.
But it is not invincible.
Cancer may be the great enemy, but it has served as our friend. It has brought us together under one common goal, a goal that erases all boundaries. We fight side-by-side. And we will win.
Every step matters.
And this is why I will be taking part in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington DC on May 2 and 3. (My site can be found at http://www.avonwalk.org/goto/kristenwood)
In 39 miles and over 2 Days, I can change lives. I can help those who are fighting by raising money for them. I can raise awareness. And so can you.
Donate. Volunteer. Walk. Share.
Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can eradicate the Great “It”.
About the Avon Foundation
Since it was founded in 1955, the Avon Foundation has been committed to the mission to improve the lives of women and their families. Now past the half century milestone, the Avon Foundation brings this mission to life through two key areas of focus: breast cancer and domestic violence. From an initial $400 scholarship in 1955, Avon philanthropy has expanded globally and through 2008 exceeded $660 million raised and awarded worldwide. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in over 50 countries support advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. For more information about the Avon Foundation visit http://www.avonfoundation.org/ or call 1.866.505.AVON.
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Comments: 15
Good Luck on your walk..and thank you for the link..
I'd also like to draw some attention to my post along these same lines. Here's my link: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977642458&nav=MyGather
Please check it out also.
I have lost 4 people close to me due to Cancer, my grandmother, grandfather, my ex's aunt and my best friends mother. My cousins 10 year old son is suffering through it right now. My sister and I also both have HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. She can no longer have children because of having to have the majority her cervix removed. My future stepson's mother has had a brain tumor removed and had to have a complete hysterectomy due to cancer.
Thank you for bringing this subject to everyone's attention.
Please go to WWW.SICKOCURE.ORG. Read the information and then sign the petition for HR 676, you can contact your local representatives from the same sight.
Please go to WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV/CONTACT and write directly to the president.
Then have all of your friends and family to do the same.
My friend Christy died a few years ago of breast cancer; my friend Rob died a few years earlier of colon cancer. Both are deeply missed. Both were in thier early-30s. Cancer does not respect age or gender or anything.