Cancer. A word that can be brushed off or bring someone to tears. A word that people despise and a word that many people avoid using. Cancer is a word that has affected an endless amount of people in so many different ways. The craziest part about it all might be that I have actually learned so much from cancer. Cancer has taught me:

1. That life is incredibly short.

It all happens so quickly. You think you have all the time in the world with the people in your life and suddenly you hear that awful six-letter word. Then, you realize there’s not even enough time in the day anymore.

2. You can never say “I love you” enough.

Those words mean the world but they seem so much more precious when time is no longer on your side. Don’t wait until there’s a possibility of losing someone to continuously tell them how much you love them. There are many times in the day I wish I could tell my Granddad I loved him just one more time.

3. What true friendship is like.

Finding out a loved one is battling cancer can sometimes make it seem like you’re completely alone in the world. I am beyond thankful that I had so many friends and family members surrounding me that made it almost impossible to feel that way. They sat through my ugly cry, they dried my endless amount of tears, they always did their best to make me smile, they were always checking in, they would sit in silence with me, they prayed for me, they hugged me and never let go. True friends are the ones who are there for you through the good and the bad.

4. That no matter how much evil is in the world, there will always be good.

There is no doubt that cancer is evil but what truly warms my heart is how it brings people together to take a stand against cancer. Relay For Life & Penn State THON might some of the best examples. I have had the humbling experience of attending Relay for Life multiple times, planning/attending a mini THON and attending THON, and it’s all life changing. People who have never met before are holding onto each other as they cry. People empty their pockets in support, in memory and in honor of people they never met and never will meet. People are walking and standing for countless hours. People work together in hope of one day finding a cure for cancer. If that doesn't restore your faith in humanity, then I don't know what will.

5. There’s no way to prepare for a goodbye.

You know it’s coming. The doctors have told you for weeks that there’s not much time left. Maybe it’s because you’re in denial, or maybe it’s just because nothing can ever prepare you for those last few seconds of breath. The shattering of your heart is the same whether you’ve had months to prepare or if you have minutes. Even if you know what's coming, you can never prepare for how it will feel.

6. What a hero looks like.

To me, nothing screams heroism more than someone fighting a battle against any kind of sickness. I’ll never understand why, but while I felt like my world was crumbling around me when my grandparents were battling cancer, they seemed to stand taller then ever before. Their smile never faded, they always stayed positive and the most odd part was they were the ones telling me it would be OK. I will always admire how a person with cancer battles till the very end.

7. To never lose sight of my faith.

At one point I made the crazy assumption that God was doing this, he was paying me back for all the times I had done him wrong. I was angry, hurt and upset at God. Thanks to the incredible support system around me, I soon realized He is not the one to blame but He is the one I needed the most. The power of prayer does miraculous things, and I can’t ever forget that.

8. It’s OK to lean on others.

We are always told to be strong, paint the smile on our face, don’t show our weakness. I tried so hard to be that rock and I know so many other people do too but we have to remind ourselves and others to lean on that rock we call friends and family. It’s OK to hurt, it’s OK to not be strong all the time and it’s 100 percent OK to cry. Again, I’m so thankful and blessed for all the people in my life who were my rock to lean on.

9. To be thankful.

I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my Granddad and all the unforgettable memories we shared. I’m thankful for the example he set and the influence he has had on my life and how he still continues to do so as he watches over me. I’m so thankful to still have many cancer survivors in my life, my Pop, Grandma, Mr. Rick, Uncle Mike, Mr. Bob, Pop Pop, Uncle Clarence, Mr. Scott, the list could go on. Always take the time to be thankful.