Cancer still kills and people still band together to demonstrate their faith the time comes when this insidious and indiscriminate disease will no longer be a threat to human life. Until that time comes, people walk, pray, fund, and lend their hopes to the discovery of a cure.
Two days ago, on February 23, 2008, hundreds trekked up South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona celebrating 25 years of The American Cancer Society Annual Walk for The Cure. The walk was like a scene from Sly and The Family Stone’s Classic, “Everyday People.” There were long ones, short ones, big ones, small one, rounds one, black ones, white ones; they came all to demonstrate their love and care for friends and family lost to cancer and for friends and family affected NOW!
One of my colleagues, Tin Cup, not his real name, walked very early on Saturday before we met at the office for a few hours. I know why Tin Cup Walks. This is very real and personal for him.
Tin Cup’s Mother - in - Law passed away from Cancer last year. Her daughter Tin Cup’s wife is currently waging battle. She is affected, too.
Cancer still kills and yet its presence brings with it incredible moments of love and beauty. Tin Cup’s grand daughter knows more about Cancer than little ones might know. She recently saw a program on television that talked about people giving their hair for hair pieces that people who have lost their hair as a result of Cancer treatments can have hair. She talked it over with her mother, Tin Cup’s daughter who has lost a close friend to Cancer. She consulted with her grand father and her grand mother who blessed this little one’s heart of love. As a child, she was not only willing to talk about giving to others her down her back hair, she did it.
The American Cancer Society celebrated 25 years of the walk this year. When walkers returned from their experience, they were tagged with stickers that read, “I MADE IT TO THE TOP.”
Cancer still kills but not as many people as it used to. There is a strong spirit alive of HOPE in the many that have been affected by this condition of disease. Their indomitable spirit joined with friends and supporters are making a difference. You can too. Support The American Cancer Society. Together, we all make a difference.
1 comment:
Thank you O,
I too have walked the walk. All too often have talked the talk. Family members, friends, neighbors and strangers; black, white, old young, from here there and everywhere. The things we all can agree on is the sadness and anger of when this disease hits, the joy when it is defeated and the togetherness and love it can bring. Until we can defeat it forever, we will do what humans do best. We will support, love, hold, cry and share in the fight, so no one shall ever walk alone in this battle.
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