Take cancer...its easy enough to think that cancer too is something that 'just happens' and we throw our hands up in frustration. The world just isn't fair, right?
It isn't fair...it isn't fair that anyone should have to battle this disease...and truly it is the most obvious injustice that anyone should ever have to die of it either. But what if I told you that a stastical demographic group (spanning more than twenty years) has not reaped the same rewards-- the same likelihood or chances that others have enjoyed of surviving their disease. If you are diagnosed in your late teens, twenties or thirties...according to current studies you don't have the same shot as everyone else outside that bracket has.
But forget the statistics for a minute and let's just talk people. Because numbers don't speak clearly...not until you've watched a wonderful young vibrant person you know pass away when perhaps they could have been saved with earlier detection or better access to resources. Watching this, you become attuned to the real lesson in those numbers...that perhaps... just perhaps--- a better way, a more proactive and informed health care system and a more informed public might have made a difference. If the blinders were taken off and the next time a teenager or young adult went into their physician's office complaining of consistent or alarming symptoms they would not be dismissed and told they're too young to worry about cancer. In fact, for young adults late diagnosis remains the largest factor to contend with. Awareness could do so much to change that.
Perhaps yes---then perhaps we all can make a difference.
But change doesn't happen by a single domino knocking over just one other domiono. If we are to see a difference we need to not allow the chain to stop at us. Next week e-mail your friends, co-workers and family about Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. And ask them to sign SeventyK, the petition to promote legislation aimed at changing those ugly statistics I mentioned. Yes, there are ugly things in this world...but believe that your voice can be heard. Make your statement...and hope the chain continues on.
www.seventyk.org
