I’m Walking Because I’m Pissed

 

I’ve done a few walks before. A few years ago, I participated in a walk on World Water Day, to raise awareness about the fact that hundreds of millions of people don’t have access to clean water. And for the past few years, I’ve participated in a walk for animals, raising funds for the animal shelter where I volunteer.

This year, I’m walking for cancer.

Because I’m pissed.

It begins with my maternal grandmother. As I started researching my genealogy in earnest earlier this year, I thought about the loss I’ve felt by not knowing my grandmother. And I’ve often thought about the loss my mom has felt due to her mother dying from cancer when she was 14. Grandma Nancy was diagnosed with rectal cancer in the fall of 1959. They surgically removed the cancer, and that was it. That was all that could be done. She died in the spring of 1960.

Here we are, 53 years later. I have more than a few friends who have lost their parents to cancer. I can think of three friends who have lost BOTH of their parents to cancer. I have a friend who just lost her spouse to cancer. I have friends and acquaintances who are currently being treated for cancer.

I want to say ENOUGH with the cancer. I am sitting here waiting for the day that cancer will strike again, more closely. I am sitting here waiting and thinking, Who’s next?

And this pisses me off. So when my friend and her sister created a team to walk for the Jimmy Fund, I joined the team.

http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/2013/nancymh

I’ll be walking to raise money for cancer on September 8, and I am really looking forward to it.

There’s a cure out there somewhere. And while we’re waiting for a cure, I hope that there is also a lot of research being done regarding preventative measures. Here’s a website that I will be reading thoroughly:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prevention

Knowledge is power!