“Cancer”- this word is one of the most dreaded ones to be heard or even thought of. It brings fear not only to the ones struck by it but even family members and loved ones bear the brunt. Although sometimes we may be able to fight it; other times we may not succeed. The hardest part even after all the treatment, is not knowing whether it is gone permanently or may make a comeback.
One saddest parts of life is when cancer occurs at a very young age, either in childhood or adolescence and sometimes even as early as infancy. These children have to forgo their regular life and endure months and months of treatment. Sometimes it doesn’t work out and they give into the disease. Sometimes they do survive. Yet even if the cancer has regressed or has been removed; there would be countless visits to the hospital. These children, if they survive will have to deal with countless side-effects ranging from chronic pain to thyroid problems and worst of all, secondary cancers.
The National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month which is observed in the September is an annual national health campaign organized by major childhood cancer organizations to increase awareness of pediatric cancer and to raise funds for various aspects of its research. While many of us may not be actively involved in the pediatric cancer units or dealing with survivors, what we can is to raise awareness and give support.
By support, it doesn’t necessarily mean monetary support alone but even emotional, mental, physical and even spiritual support. There may be cancer survivors in our neighbourhood, church groups, extended family, schools and workplaces. Some of the small town hospitals may have a few cancer victims admitted with concurrent ailments.
What we can do is to lend a hand and more importantly our time if, where or when required and above all, extend our support to their families too. It is in these hard times that we need to help and share our Faith and support. Sharing our time and faith will help to ease the stress and burden for both the survivors and the victims as well as their families.
As the Scripture says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”(Deuteronomy 31:6)
Our time in this world is short, for we never when or how will our call come ? As, Albert Einstein had said, “Time is an illusion.” Thus, what we do with our time is valuable as it builds our character and eventually our faith. For, I believe there are no casual encounters: either God sends the person we need, or we are sent to someone by God, unknown to us. So this month, let us wear the gold ribbon and give our time to the children with cancer. And give them the faith to fight the battle.
“16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-19)
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