Cancer sucks. It just so happens that sometimes the worst things happen to the best people and there’s nothing you can do but show them your support. Cancer doesn’t just hurt the person affected, but it also leaves holes in the hearts of their loved ones. There is always going to be a missing piece in family gatherings, graduations, and many important stages of life. It’s absolutely terrible, but cancer doesn’t care.
Participating in the Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society on campus made me realize what is truly important in life. So often, the little things that happen on a daily basis cause me to worry, stress, have doubt, and so much more. When you attend an event such as this one where you hear stories from families about how hard their lives have been since cancer has entered the picture, you begin to take a step back and realize how fortunate you are. You begin to have a greater urge to be that person who will always be there even if they aren’t the closest person in your life. Hearing other people’s cancer stories and throughout my own experiences, I’ve learned a few things about cancer and what it means to be a bystander in important people’s journey:
Don’t ignore changes in your health.
Although many times people think the worst possible scenario in health when it often is just a very mild outcome, there is still the chance that it could be true. Ask a doctor or people you trust about your symptoms because you never know how quickly your health could change.
Time matters.
Often when people are told they have a certain amount of time to live, they do as much as they can with the people they care about. While this is still so important to make lasting memories, carpe diem and take advantage of the time you have now rather than later.
Showing love and support is by far the most important thing to do.
Research is in the making and is gradually decreasing the fatalities that cancer causes. However, once someone is diagnosed, he/she truly just wants to be around the people they love and many times that love is enough to give them the strength to fight back.
Let the person handle the disease in their own way.
Not everyone wants someone constantly by their side telling them it will be okay and some people just want a hand to hold on to every step of the way. Whatever the situation, be sure the people you love know that you are their for them whenever they need someone and always have open ears to hear all they have to say. Sometimes listening is the best you can do for another person.
Every penny counts.
A cure for cancer does not just pop up out of the blue and so countless hours and dollars have been spent toward working finding that cure. But research cannot happen if it weren’t from donations by the community. Any little bit that you give brings us all that much closer to being able to find a cure. Much like anything in life, although it may not seem at first like one person can do a much, each little bit given makes a big difference in the end.
Don’t take the little things for granted.
Hearing stories from the survivors and their families, they noticed that the parts of life they cherished most when times were the worst were the laughter they shared, the stories they told, and much more. It does not take a crazy adventure to make life meaningful because often the things that make you happy everyday are the things you remember most.
Bring out the good things from the bad.
Cancer can make you realize what is truly important to you in life. One of the speakers at our relay told us her story about how cancer caused her to change many aspects for the better. She began to notice who was always going to her by your side and she also noticed the parts of her lifestyle that just were terrible for her and immediately made changes. Now being several years cancer-free, she now feels more confident in herself and feels like she knows true happiness.
