STAND UP 2 CANCER NOW!

October is "Breast Cancer Awareness" month and I have been doing some research into the “search for a cure”.

Since being diagnosed with breast cancer this past June, my “awareness” of cancer has become very heightened and personal.   Even before that, I was no stranger to cancer, as I have known many dear friends and family members with cancer.   To say that I am “aware” is putting it rather mildly, as I enter my fourth month of chemotherapy and face some type of surgery and radiation to follow afterwards.

My question has always been, “If so much money has been raised in all these years to find ‘a cure’, then why hasn’t a cure been found?”  This question used to hang out in the back of my mind.  These days, I find it in the front of my mind a little more often.   

The short answer to the question, “Where is the cure after all this time and all this money has been raised?”  (over $2 billion dollars to date), is that only a small percentage of the revenue raised by some organizations is actually utilized for research to discover a “cure”.  The foundation that sponsors the “race for the cure” and the “wear pink” campaigns allocates less than 20% of its revenues to research.    

The rest of the money goes to education and treatment, which is fine.    However, I personally feel it is important to realize their revenues do not primarily fund the search for a “cure” for cancer.

It’s up to you to decide whether donating to an organization that primarily funds research for a cure for cancer is important to you, or not.

I would respectfully urge anyone who is embracing the cause of a “cure” for cancer to be very mindful as you raise money, donate money or support organizations for “the cure” to read their financial statements and see for yourself what percentage of their revenue is used for research.   

The mission of the organization, Stand Up 2 Cancer, is to “fund collaborative, translational cancer research to bring treatments from the bench to the bedside faster, and save lives now.  This makes Stand Up 2 Cancer unique and more importantly, 100% of their revenues are allocated to cancer research.    Stand Up 2 Cancer is looking for new therapies, across ALL CANCER TYPES.  Not just breast cancer.   

Please investigate this innovative research organization and read about the opportunities for you to Stand Up 2 Cancer.....for a cure for ALL cancer......

www.standup2cancer.org/

When the answer seems impossible, stand up
When the dream is right within our reach, stand up
When the powerful refuse your call, stand up

The moment is now and the time has come to stand up.
One out of every two men
One out of every three women
will face these diseases we call cancer.

Our sisters, our brothers, our fathers, our mothers,
our husbands, our wives, our children.
Our very best friends and those we’ve yet to meet.

One person every minute, one person in a moment gets lost, gets stolen, gets taken away.

This is where the end of cancer begins.

A new level of destiny

"Don't be discouraged by difficulties.   Rather, be encouraged by the trials that you face.  For on the other side of the difficulty is a new level of destiny."

During a tough time in my life, I used to play a CD by Graham Cooke over and over in my car on the drive to work.   My favorite part was   "The lower that God takes you, the higher He will raise you up." 

These quotes give me hope, when times get tough.   I know that God has big plans for my future.  When it feels like the odds are stacked against me, or I am just tired and don't really feel like pushing through, these reminders shine a light on my path.  God never promised there would not be trials or difficulties.   "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33.  

We are all walking through something in life that may be more challenging than we bargained for.   Each and every one of us has had to face adversity.   Look around you today, your brothers, sisters, friends, co-workers, classmates and acquaintances are all struggling.   Big or small,  there are many roadblocks in life.   I am writing today to encourage you and even challenge you to "Be the Light".   Encourage other people.   Share a smile with someone who is stressed.   Say a kind word.   Share a kind touch.   Build each other up.    Don't forget your friends who are struggling with difficulties that seem never-ending.  They need your friendship, kindness and hope more than ever. 

The kindness and friendship that has been extended to me in the last 90 days, since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, has been overwhelming to me.   The encouragement of my friends has sustained me and given me a reason to get up each day and fight.   It means the world to me.

I fully acknowledge and admit that I am a selfish person.    I think of myself so much more than I think about others.   I am so guilty in this area, but I want to do better.   I want to be an encouragement to my friends and loved ones.  I think that deep down, we all want to help our friends.  

I am challenging each of you that reads this today to dedicate your week to helping another person, being the light for another person, just being a soft place to land for someone who needs it.   Let's take the focus off of ourselves and turn it onto others.   I know that the blessings we reap from these acts of kindness will be abundant.