My Aunt (my Mother’s sister) never wanted to go to regular doctors appointments even when she had issues with her monthly cycles. Turns out that she had cervical cancer. When she got the diagnosis she was given a 6 month time frame to live. I drove 18 hours out to Indianapolis to spend time with her and my Mother.
We helped her clean, and organize her house and just spend time with her. I made the journey again a few months later with my brother and now SIL for Thanksgiving. She made the most amazing spread and it was a full on sit down dinner with China and everything. Not what I was used to but so very fabulous. Being able to spend that time with her is something I will always cherish. She made one last trip out to the Cape that I got to visit with her. She outlived that 6 month time frame but unfortunately the Cancer spread to her lungs and soon after she lost her fight.
My Grammy K. has beaten breast cancer TWICE!! My second Dad has beaten Prostate cancer. There is probably not a person out there who doesn’t know someone who has been affected by Cancer. I hope that in my lifetime there is a cure for every type of cancer out there. So whenever I get the chance I always try to donate to finding a cure.
So for this week’s Be The Change Random Act of Kindness I URGE, IMPLORE, BEG you to give what you can if you are able every little bit counts!! I have donated to both and hope you can find it in your heart to as well.
“Hi, I’m Melanie, a Leiomyosarcoma cancer survivor.
I began Relaying as a freshman in 2004 before I even really knew what Relay was. After my first event, I knew Relay For Life was something I wanted to continue doing. Cancer, thankfully, had not touched anyone I knew, but I believed in the amazing cause.
Unfortunately, just two years later, I began feeling very fatigued. After what I thought would be a simple visit to Mizzou’s Student Health Center, I was hospitalized for a low blood count. A few transfusions later I was released and a week later, after an upper endoscopy, a tumor was discovered in my stomach.
I traveled home to receive care under some of the best doctors in the country. On February 14, 2006, I underwent surgery in which they removed the tumor, one third of my stomach, and the bottom portion of my esophagus. While in recovery in the hospital, we learned the severity of my cancer as I was told I had Leiomyosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive cancer…..”
For the rest of her story and to help support Melanie click here.
The amount of people that Stephanie fund-raises and relays in memory of, support of, and celebration of is astounding. To help support Stephanie’s Relay for Life team click here.
Are you considering doing your own Act of Kindness? If not, what is stopping you? Grab a button if you would like to spread the word. The change that we seek in others has to first come from within. This year I hope you decide to Be the Change You Seek.
