A friend’s family will gather this weekend to celebrate Christmas more than three months early because a family patriarch is unlikely to be here come December.
Someone I know from social media is seeking prayers and good vibes from his connections because his mom is near the end of her life.
Cancer is an unruly and sometimes spiteful bitch.
That’s why I’m going to Washington, D.C. Sept. 8-11, 2019 for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. I’ll be joined by hundreds of cancer advocates from across the country to let Congress know that the fight to end cancer must continue to be a national priority.
In the face of all of the other issues facing our country, the fight to end cancer may seem so … minor. But I can tell you cancer is not minor and never will be.
Cancer is very major when I look into the fear-filled eyes of someone who has just heard the words, “you have cancer” and they’re looking to me for guidance and support. Cancer is everything when a dying friend holds out her arms for a hug because we both know it’s the last time we’ll see each other on this side of the veil.
Those kinds of moments, and there are more than I can count, are seared into my heart forever.
I am grateful that the cancer death rate has declined steadily over the last decade or so. This is truly good news. Still, more than 600,000 people will die from cancer this year and nearly 1.8 million people will be diagnosed.
Every one of those people has a story, and they are all important. Stories make change happen. That’s why I’m a volunteer advocate for ACS CAN, to tell the stories (mine and hundreds of others) and to make an impact. To, quite literally, make cancer history.
We will tell more than 40,000 stories on Tuesday, Sept. 10, when we hold the annual Lights of Hope Ceremony. Picture it: 40,000 lighted bags, each representing the story of someone who faced cancer, lining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. It’s poignant, bittersweet, humbling and impactful.
Over the last few months, I’ve felt urgency about my mission. Summer was especially packed with advocacy activity, and I could have done more. There is always more work to do, more contacts to make with lawmakers, more petitions to get signed, more people to invite to raise their voices, more money to raise, etc.
We have so much work to do. Personally, I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
I don’t have children, but I have nine nieces and nephews. Wouldn’t it be great if one day they, or their children, could ask the question, “what WAS cancer?”
One day we will make cancer history.
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