Survivors and Some Who Didn't
Cancer Strikes Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime
Each of the six or seven stories involved interviewing the survivors, the victims and the families of those who lost their battle with cancer.
I have listened to hours of testimonies much like a court reporter and recorded hundreds of statements. All of the stories have woven a fabric that will hopefully comfort those who are hearing a diagnosis for the first time,
"You have cancer."
There is so much hope and help available these days but of all the stories I have heard, there are two that stand out the most in my mind. I wrote about the first one here.
It is the story of Johnny Sileno (July 3, 2004 to July 4, 2010). Johnny died one day after his sixth birthday from brain cancer and that could have been the end of his story but his parents chose to create a Foundation in his memory to help parents of pediatric cancer victims. They have already helped numerous families and Johnny's little spirit is giving hope to many others. Johnny Sileno continues to offer hope.
To make a donation to help other pediatric cancer patients and their families,
Johnny Sileno Wishes for Wellness Foundation , 15 Disano Drive, Newburgh, NY 12550
The second story was from a young mother who visited the Cancer Centers of America when she felt she had no hope left. As she walked through the doors of the Center she told me that the realization hit her, "I have cancer." Tears started to fall from her eyes and she said her legs began to crumble under the weight of the realization when suddenly,
"A Clown jumped in front of me and started to do magic tricks! He pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind his back and handed them to me." She told me that she and her young daughters began to laugh. One small gesture of hope helped her to cope.
Hope to cope. Each of the stories begins and ends with "hope." Without it, none of these families could have endured. In the words of Christopher Reeve who said, "Once you choose hope, anything is possible."
If you or someone you love is walking through the cancer valley, I pray you will hold tight to hope
"anything is possible."
Sources:
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SurvivorshipDuringandAfterTreatment/StoriesofHope/index
Published by Michele Starkey
Optimist who enjoys writing, laughing and spreading good news. If I have but one life to live, I hope to make mine memorable. My epitaph will read: she lived, she loved, she left. View profile
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53 Comments
Post a CommentI have a friend who survived it and it was such a beautiful thing to know that she held on and is still here kicking and breathing. I walked with her in the Cancer Walk the year she found out that she would live to see another day, month, year and so on.
Great reporting.
On my first treatment visit to the Fox Chase Cancer Center, I sat curled up and in tears. An older woman came over to me and said, "It's going to be all right, honey." Well, I did end up being fine, and now whenever I go over for a folo-up appointment and I see someone curled up and in tears, I go over, pat them on the shoulder and say, "It's going to be all right, honey."
Great article!
Great piece. I read Johnny's story again and it made me want to cry. What a beautiful tribute.
Thanks for sharing... outstanding article as always!
Yes, thanks for sharing this.
Been under the weather, now trying to catch up!
I found that hope and faith helped me get through my cancer diagnosis. I just couldn't let cancer win. Hope and thinking positively are very important in fighting this disease. Great article, Michele.
Amen--very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your heart, dear :)