2009/10/06

Cancer Sucks

DaGoddess @ 02:00

The other day at our big blues competition finals, we had five awesome bands performing and a big crowd showed up to hear and cheer. Of course, I mentioned to a few of those in attendance. You know me, I’ll talk up a good cause every chance I get.

Talking about breast cancer is difficult for some. Hell, talking about any kind of cancer is. You know why? Because cancer sucks. It’s a thief. It steals your health, it steals your time, it steals from your family, it just takes takes takes takes takes.

I lost my aunt to breast cancer when I was around 5 years old. I remember her, though. I remember her beautiful face, her sweetness, her absolute love for her family, and I can even remember her voice as she read to me when I’d occasionally spend the night at her house. She never got to know she inspired me to become a nurse. She never got to see her sons grow up to become men. She never got to bounce grandbabies on her knee. There were a million things she never got to do because cancer ate away at her body and her life until there was nothing left.

Steve White
It’s not just breast cancer that does this. It’s all cancer. And it was a point driven home yesterday as I watched one of our local shining stars walk into the venue with his lady by his side. Recently diagnosed with a form of throat cancer, he nodded and smiled at friends and well-wishers, writing notes occasionally when he had something he felt needed to be said. At one point, someone asked why he risked coming out during cold and flu season. His response? “To support my friends”. I wanted to cry, but I was in the middle of a huge crowd and had business to handle. I blinked back my tears, took care of what needed to be done, and said a prayer for this amazing man.

As a singer, songwriter, guitarist, he’s been robbed of his voice — his means of making a living — by cancer. And yet, he’s upbeat. His sense of humor is intact And he’s there for his friends, cheering them on with his applause and his presence. It gave me hope, though.

I’ve seen it time and time again, the indomitable spirit of someone seriously ill. It never ceases to amaze me. I’ve seen this in patients of every age, every ethnicity, every walk of life. Their optimism and courage are astounding. But it’s not always enough to keep them alive.

The only way to ensure life is to beat cancer and beat it down for good. That takes research. Research takes money. So donate. Donate to find a cure. Not just for those with cancer, but for their families, for their future.

For Boobie-Thon, there’s just today and tomorrow left to break the $10,000 mark. There’s original artwork by Chris Muir for auction and lots of lovely cleavage on display.

And if you aren’t a fan of the Boobie-Thon, don’t care for my involvement with it, or are opposed to our approach, find another way to help or another worthwhile cause. But don’t just sit there…do something.

2 Comments

  1. Cancer does indeed suck. It sucks the life out of not only the victim but everyone around them.

    Even the word strikes fear into my heart. One day we’ll find a cure. One day.

    Comment by Pam — 2009/10/06 @ 05:46

  2. I don’t think it should be feared. I think it should be reviled. And we must remain dogged in our pursuit of a cure.

    Comment by DaGoddess — 2009/10/06 @ 23:42

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