In recent years death has been a prominent force in my life. If I am not losing someone, someone close to me is. My first cancer related death, was—silly enough—the death of my childhood dog. I took her to the vet one day and she had lumps in her breasts. They told me she didn't have very much time and she literally deteriorated in a week. I will never forgot the pain I felt when I lost her.
I am taking a stand for my friend's mother Midori and my uncle's good friend Bernice (who both lost their battles to breast cancer), as well as a close family friend named Mark (who is battling a very rare and cancerous blood disease). I've never been very good with death, whether it hit near or far, and I want nothing but the best for their loved ones. Bernice started her battle young and lost it in her mid-thirties and Midori battled it for about ten years. Cancer is something that leaves me feeling helpless and speechless in a time when I wish I could provide something comforting. The best I can do is hold their loved ones hand and provide a shoulder to cry on. I've learned that the simple act of being there is more than enough for anyone experiencing grief or who is in mourning. The relationship between Midori and her daughter (and my friend, Asuka) inspired to write a prose poem I am very proud of. I tried to make it pretty and presentable when I gave it to their family, which is pictured above.
So let's kick cancer's a$$! By now you should know what to do, so start selling, making donations or contributing in any way you can to help us STAND UP 2 CANCER!
