Terry Fox Day

Terry Fox is a hero who will never be forgotten. Today marks the anniversary which no Canadian will forget. Terry's will to run and raise money to further cancer research shall continue to be remembered until his goal of achieving a cure has been reached. While that goal has found its end in a few ways, cancer, a many-headed monster remains. Part of the problem is precisely that: cancer isn't simply one disease. It is of one main character, but because it is so varied in its locales and kinds, it is not something easy to "cure". This morning, on radio, my favorite medium, I heard a chap speak about accompanying Mr. Fox on his run across the country. Terry had arrived in Ontario and this gentleman assisted the Fox entourage, a tiny one, in its hopeful effort by one young man, to achieve a fund-raising run from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Terry's home. As we all know, sadly, it couldn't complete that, because the cancer re-appeared and the run ended as did Terry Fox's life, not long after. This young man knew how many others fell from this terrible disease and didn't complete their lives just as he couldn't also. Even that defeat was not defeat. I lost many of my people from cancer as do we all, and if a cure is found, it will be momentous. No one who has lost those close to them can describe what it's like to see or hear the fatal words, I'm sorry to tell you that it's cancer. For doctors to have to make this announcement, is the worst part of their work. They know that not all cancers are ones that can't be beaten, but they also know how personally devastating it is to fight the disease no matter what the outcome. They also know that you can't keep it away by eating certain foods or avoiding certain habits. It can happen to anyone, at any time of their life. There are ways of trying, however, and some cancers are kept away when people live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Smoking and other substances inhaled or consumed, that prevent  life sustaining oxygen from doing its work in our bodies is known to open the chances of cancer entering a life. And to use excuses such as, I know those who smoked all their lives and they didn't die of cancer, are not a valid reason to take a chance or affect that of others. Allowing yourself to work in a place that is conducive to inviting cancerous effects because it pays well, is another invalid excuse. Taking care of our bodies is our biggest and most important responsibility. We can't care about or take care of our families or friends by abusing the privilege of life and doing what we know may possibly cause cancer. Life is free and it's all we have. Even those who have endless amounts of money will tell you that your health is a far greater asset than gold. Gold won't save you from cancer but it can help those who are in the business of trying to find out how to, and they need a bit of your gold today. Remember Terry Fox who gave his life, his golden life for others. Give.