By Staff
Everywhere we turn, we hear about someone who has cancer. It could be a family member, a close friend or someone you've never even met. It affects the young and the old and it's making its presence known in so many people. It's getting very, very scary.
Maybe its just me, but it seems like cancer is popping up everywhere. Every week I hear of someone new who has been diagnosed with some type of cancer - liver, lung, breast, skin, bone - it strikes anywhere at anytime.
They say to exercise and eat right to lower your chances of getting cancer, which is probably very true. But then I look at people like Justin Henry and wonder how such a physically fit young person can be affected. It just goes to show that it doesn't matter how many miles you walk in one day or how much broccoli you eat, if cancer wants you, it's going to get you.
It's good to hear that Justin is doing well, it's just a shame that such a young person had to go through something like this. It's a shame that anyone has to go through it.
My stepmother, Sarajane, went through it. She exercised, walked and even at right, then one day she found out she had breast cancer. She went through the surgery, chemotherapy and to this day still goes through preventative treatments. She was one of the lucky ones. Her cancer was caught early enough and they were able to stop it.
That's one nice thing about how far we have come with medicines. If you catch things early enough, they can be taken care of. Not long ago, if someone found out they had cancer, there wasn't much doctors could do to stop it.
My stepmother, and I'm sure Justin too, got through this dreadful illness that nobody ever wants to face. Not only were they both dealing with some of the best doctors, but most importantly they were surrounded by people who care about them. My stepmother was always in high spirits -as most of you know, she always is anyway - but even on her worst days she tried to stay strong and it helped. The doctors told her not to get down and she didn't, which I'm sure was extremely hard to do, but it helped.
Cancer is something nobody ever wants to go through or deal with. I just hope that in time, we can find a way to rid it as soon as it appears without going through the surgeries, chemotherapy and all of the medicines. But until then, just feel grateful that we have come a long way with this demon and there is a way to stop it.
Make sure to stay healthy! Eat right, get plenty of exercise and rest and make sure to see your doctor for all of your yearly checkups.
I encourage everyone to attend the benefit dinner and dance that is being held for Justin Henry this evening at the American Legion Post 26 in Niles.
It should be a great event to help raise money for Justin and his family. There will be plenty to eat (including tons of fish) as well as a silent auction, where a lot of sports memorabilia will be auctioned off. The night can also be danced away with music from Ric Clingaman. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased at the doors, which open at 5 p.m.
Have a great Easter everyone!