Note: This Article was written four years ago, I had a different attitude then.
This is also dedicated to a loved one who I just fund out has been fighting this sinister disease. God Bless You May.
This is my take on how my participation in the Relay For Life Cancer Walk affected me.
When I showed up at the Cancer Walk, I did so not knowing what to expect. I had never been to one before. My participation was due mainly because the committee I am on was responsible for getting members together and building teams to help raise money.
Upon arrival I had a sort of lackadaisical attitude towards everything and was sort of disinterested. I was more or less there out of obligation, and not really to help.
As I started to walk I heard a lady reading a list of individuals who had succumbed to cancer or was currently battling this dreaded disease. The purpose of the reading was to remind those who were present just why they were there. I wondered if this was going to be going on all night as I turned on my media player and adjusted the volume to drown out the reading of the list.
The main thought going through my mind was if this would drag on or go fairly quickly. I had downloaded about 3 hours worth of music onto my player, but would that help kill time?
After about an hour of walking everyone was asked to take a seat . At this point I was expecting some yakking before my obligatory time was up and I would be free to go home and get some rest.
As I sat and listened I heard stories from two speakers. They told those present how this disease had devastated families. I heard stories of faith in God that helped strengthen and encourage. I saw two grown adults cry on stage in front of others, and through it all I found myself moved to tears. My attitude of obligation that arrived with me was replaced by one of admiration and the desire to do more to help.
Before the walk resumed, the crowd was shown 119 flags. These flags represented the number of people expected to be diagnosed with cancer in Ellis County by the end of this calendar year. The participants of the walk were asked to take a flag and dedicate themselves to trying to save the life of one of those expected to be stricken with Cancer. I left with one of those flags.
I had long known that Cancer can strike anyone at anytime. But I had never really given it any serious thought before. My family has no Cancer on either side. We have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. (maybe I need to get an Alzheimer’s walk going to raise consciousness) But unless a person is face to face with a life threatening illness, one tends to selfishly turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
That night, I saw only the smallest part of the dread, the worry, the fear, and the financial drain that is caused by this disease. But thanks to the speakers I also saw the strength, faith, and hope that can come from an individual who has decided to turn to a source greater then themselves.
By the end of the night I had a new attitude towards helping and I am writing this so others might see that when you help raise consciousness, and funds for others, it may someday come back around and be helpful to you as well. Helping others for the sake of just helping will tell you something about yourself and earn you someone’s appreciation. Who knows, you may save a life by thinking of someone other then yourself.
So as I close, I would like to pose a question to any who may be reading this. If it was you, stricken with a life threatening malady, would you want help? If you answered yes, then you know how any Cancer sufferer feels. Now do something about it.
Geoff Kuhn
