A hard battle- the C word Cancer

Cancer is a topic most of us chose to try not to bring up. Its something foreign to us and until its affecting us we try not to talk about it. Its invisible to our naked eyes until its broughten to our attention. Its inevitable the people who we know and love will sometimes become ill get sick, some will respond well to treatment and be given another chance at this crazy world, and others will become our angels.

I have lost family to cancer, friends and acquaitences, i have friends and family who are ill now and I pray for them but id like to take the time right now for the widows out there who struggled watching their partners suffer.

I love this quote We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails. I live in a small comunity one thats known for its "heart" we have banded together to be dubbed Hockeyville one year and "Ultimate fishing town", we voted to send a local teacher to a 3rd world country and voted one of our own to live at Vancouver airport for 30 days. In these cases we went online and supported our neighbours and our town in new accomplishments.

I have never seen a town have such heart until this year. When Bradley passed the community came togehter with a fundraiser for us at a grocery store and they raised more than the event coordinator had seen just selling hotdogs. I was thrilled with the support.

I payed it forward and when i heard shortly after my loss, that a young family in a neighbouring town had lost their mother due to an unknown heart problem I banded together what I had to help- and it was moslty my time. I picked up collected donations of food and clothes formula and diapers (the kids were 3 and 3 months old) food coupons toys and managed to put together a kit of cleaning supplies and soap a razor and more from my stockpile from couponing and brought them to this family. I couldnt just sit and watch.

Since then our little town is seeing more tragedy a young boy 19 years old named Keegan has terminal cancer, his dreams are simple ones, he wants to go to the vancouver zoo, and the aquarium. One lady has challenged the community to donate just one hour of their wages and they have raised over 1000 already. There is a bottle drive in effect and much more all to help this young mans dad saty with him at home for the rest of his days and help a few dreams come true.

One of the fundraising events is also for Ashley Savic, a friend of mine whos determined shes "kicking cancers ass" there are dances scheduled to help her out as well, the one is a halloween dance put on for both Ashley and Keegan.

A young mother from my baby group whos daughter now 19 months is one week younger than my son, is expecting a 2nd baby in November, meanwhile they are over in Vancouver while Hailey under goes treatment for a tumour in her abdomen. Again to see everyone come together. Our baby group alone is sending over gift cards toys games cards diapers hats and more gifts for Hailey, mom dad and the new baby.

So heres my request to those reading this- please take a look around your community. Is there a family in need, a widow next door who might need her lawn mowed, a family down the street who has a child in the hospital, a child with a dream and a wish and a short time to fulfil it. What do you have to offer, an extra thing of diapers, some deoderant and canned food, can you bake or cook, or can you just donate some time collecting donations for someone in need.

Pay it forward is sweeping our lives, as is compasion and love. Can you join the movement? You never know when it may be your turn to need some help, and I pray you never do. If you never do it still feels good!