by Sally Matheny
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| Survivors have Purpose |
Today is Pet Rock Day. I didn’t want a pet rock composition but when I initially began writing about the Relay for Life’s cancer survivors, I felt incompetent. I can’t do cancer survivors justice because I’m not one. Hard as I try to express their ordeals, I can’t even go skin deep where cancer is concerned.
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| Pet Rocks are Pointless |
But, pet rocks are pointless. Cancer survivors have purpose. Who cares about pet rocks? They have hearts of stone. Cancer patients feel fear, anger, and pain. Hopefully that's followed by love, comfort, and peace.
I’ve experienced fear, anger, and pain. I know love, comfort, and peace. However, for those diagnosed with cancer, they quarry a new level of emotions from a different part of the heart—somewhere deep and previously untouched. A place the good health civilians have yet to discover.
My desire is to tell those with cancer, don’t give up. You can do this. Sometimes they need to hear our cheers. Other times it's best for us to just be there and listen. So, as much as my encouraging spirit wants to give a rally cry, I’ll refrain. At least today.
Today, I’m reflecting on the Relay for Life event we recently attended. This year, we went especially to honor my husband’s sister, Susan, a survivor of thyroid cancer and amyloidosis. Love and pride welled up as we watched her march around the track with her purple-shirted comrades. Seeing so many familiar faces brought bittersweet joy. Some showed more battle-fatigue than others. Each clutched a purple balloon, soon to be released, to victoriously mark another year. As Susan neared the finish line, we met her with hugs and more balloons. The Relay for Life coincided with her 49
th birthday this year. It was a wonderful evening for celebrating life.
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| Celebrating Another Year |
My family’s presence brought encouragement and support to Susan. We will continue to cheer her on in her journey the best way we know how. But all those, wearing shirts bearing the name SURVIVOR, will be the ones who understand best. Although each champion's path is unique, they’ve fought in that same valley called cancer.
The bad news is 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will suffer from cancer.
The good news is of January 1, 2014, there were nearly 14.5 million children and adult cancer SURVIVORS. There is hope. Thanks to medical research, physicians, volunteers, donations, and definitely to prayer. Ten years from now, it's estimated the number of cancer SURVIVORS will increase to almost 19 million. (
www.cancer.org)
The best news is declarations of "cancer-free" and the discoveries of cures.
Friday, September 12 is Stand Up to Cancer Day. That’s better than Pet Rock Day because we can ALL participate. We can volunteer, donate, and pray.
How will you stand up to cancer?
Celebrating the Survivors, Carers
Commemorating those who have passed away
Joining together in the community of those touched by cancer.
Raising awareness, comraderie and funds to care for those -
with cancer, families and win against the disease.
THANKYOU TO FRIENDS WHO GAVE OF THEIR HEARTS & FUNDS.
The second Eastern Suburbs 2010 Relay For Life raised an amazing $150,406.72
There were 51 Teams and 655 Participants hit the track at the event and heaps of friends and families came by in support.
There were over 44 Survivors and I was one of them.
I walked for my friends battling with cancer today with LOVE. You know who you are.
Our team the Road Runner Stunners was sponsored by The Hughenden Hotel.
Thankyou to writing friends from all over Australia – Authors Dianne Wolfer from Western Australia, Hazel Edwards, Corinne King and Meredith Costain from Victoria, Sue Walker, Moya Simons, Sue Whiting, Sandy Fussell, Wendy Fitzgerald and other authors from NSW and dear friends.
Thankyou to family far away in Singapore – Paul and Amanda – for caring.
Thankyou to family close to home – Bill, Jamie & Nadia, Tory, Len and Gracie, Ros.
If you want to be part of it – Register Now for next Season: www.relayforlife.org.au
I am working with the wonderful, care team from the Cancer Council with my new kid’s book ‘Always Jack’ to be published in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. www.cancercouncil.com.au; and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre Australia. www.nbocc.org.au
Relay for Life in beautiful Centennial Parklands -www.relayforlife.org.au
24 hours dedicated to survivors, carers, memories for those touched by cancer
Walking with family & friends in the candlelight HOPE Ceremony.
Snuggling in cold tents, warm hearts, with kids dancing, musicians playing from Bondi Lifesavers, Celebrity chefs,school kids, the Woollahra Masonic Lodge, the Cancer Council daffodil choir, the local Councils, NIDA and the community coming together.
I spoke at the Survivors Morning Tea - about transforming cancer to HOPE.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 4/28/2010
Blog:
Susanne Gervay's Blog
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The May Gibbs Fellowship Trust - www.maygibbs.org.au
The May Gibbs Fellowship is open again for applications for residencies in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Writers gathered for morning tea at The Hughenden to share their news and celebrate Felicity Pulman’s May Gibbs Trust Fellowship. She’s going soon to do the fellowship in Adelaide.
She’s got a book to write for the Fellowship, as well as do lots of writing talks in Adelaide.
Other News: Vashti Farrer has really cute new book out with Scholastic; Laurine is writing another Aussie Bites; Jeni Mawter has a rhyming picture book coming out, Moya Simons is getting ready for the launch of her new book ‘Let Me Whisper Me My Song’, David Mulligan’s successful novel ’Angels Kokoda’ published by Scholastic is being reprinted yet again.
I’m in a team for Relay for Life – supporting Cancer Council – join in the relay. Sponsor Relay for Life on:-
http://www.relay.cancercouncil.com.au/team.create.html?relay_id=376
I’ll be speaking at the NSW Cancer morning tea on 15th May at Centennial Parklands.
By: Kirsty,
on 12/13/2007
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By Kirsty OUP-UK
Growing up, one of the highlights of Christmas Day was to tune into Top of the Pops so that I could hear what had made it to the coveted Christmas Number 1 slot. While over the last two or so years the number 1 single has been a result of The X Factor - basically our American Idol, complete with Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne - in previous years the bookies have taken a huge amount of money in bets on who would make it to the top spot. And nothing says Christmas like a novelty record or two somewhere in the running. Join Colin Larkin, editor of Oxford’s 10 volume Encyclopedia of Popular Music (which will also be launching online very soon) as he gives his expert opinion on Christmas Records of our time.
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