American Cancer Society Walk

This morning, our family participated in the American Cancer Society Walk/Run in our community.  We woke up early, donned our matching shirts, grabbed the dogs and drove to the school.  We have done so for the past few years, but this year it was closer to my heart.

I have been blessed with incredibly healthy people in my life.  At almost 30, I haven't had a lot of personal connections to cancer.  There has been the other parent I kinda-sorta know, the friend of a friend, or the person I know of but don't know personally.  Not many people I love had been touched by it, and I am ever so thankful for that.  But in the past 2 years, that has changed.  Andy's cousin's little girl was diagnosed with Leukemia in June of 2009 at almost 3 years old.  We are very close with them, and that was so hard to watch what they all went though.  Karli is now doing well and being a typical 4-year-old, but she still has a long way to go.  My mom's dear cousin Anna Mae battled breast cancer recently.  She's also doing well and living life to it's fullest, staying healthy and active.  And this winter, my Grampa was diagnosed with bladder cancer.  After surgery, he's doing remarkably well and everyone has commented on how great he looks, how much energy he has, etc.  We're so hopeful for everyone's recovery and that they all continue to feel and do well.

There is so much that we can do to help those with cancer.  We can pray, bring meals, do laundry, transport to appointments, and other things that directly affect the person or family of those who are battling this horrible disease.  But we can also do things like participate in walks, runs, fundraisers...things to bring attention and money to the cause, to help find a cure, pinpoint a cause or develop new screening tests.  There is so much that can still be done to help everyone affected by cancer!  Please, consider donating your time or money to the effort to stop cancer and celebrate more birthdays.