South Farmington
I can still remember the day when my mom told me that Nan has breast cancer. I was lying in my bed; mom came in to tuck me in. She said we need to have a talk, right then I knew that something was up! She started off by saying that she loved me, and dad loved me, then she said that Nan loves you too. She said, Nan has breast cancer and would be going in for surgery in the morning. That night I cried my self to sleep, and the same for the next 3 or 4 nights.
Nan’s surgery went fine, 13 out of 16 lymph nodes cancerous. She would be taking chemo for 6 weeks, and then radiation for another 6 weeks in Halifax. Her radiation started in July. I would travel with my Grampy to and from Halifax every Monday to drop her off, and every Friday to pick her up. When we dropped her off, she would always bend down hug me and kiss my cheek, and then she would start to cry. I would start to cry as we pulled away from the place she was staying, even knowing that I would see her on Friday only 5 days away. The last Friday we were going to pick her up landed on the same day I was supposed to start grade 6, my mother works at the school where I went, and convinced my teacher to allow me to accompany Grampy to go pick her up. There was not one day that Nan was sick during her treatment, though her hair fell out.
Two years later my other grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Hers was not sever at all, she still had the mastectomy, but did not receive any treatments. That was the second time she had cancer, the first was when my father was a child. She had uterus cancer.
As the years went by, there was always someone in my family passing away with cancer. There are too many to name.
In grade 11 career and life management course, we had a requirement of 8 hours volunteer hours. The teacher came to me and said that the CCS RFL was looking for 4 volunteers to come to the event and ask people if they would be interested in volunteering for the CCS. That night I had the time of my life! I knew that this was a place for me. The next year I remember getting an email from Amanda Bent inviting me back as a day of volunteer. I got special permission from my high school to be absent for the day, to help the CCS. I helped out wherever needed. From hanging banners to decorating the stage, handing out water, and even driving a survivor, around the track. About a week later I got another email from Amanda, thanking me and telling me that everyone was asking whom that young polite boy was running around doing whatever was need of him. I did the same kind of tasks the next year.
In 2008 my grandfather passed away with lung, and liver cancer. This only went to intensify my destiny to eradicate cancer!
The following year I was asked to be part of the committee for the 2009 year. I was completely astonished that they would consider me worthy of being a committee member. My roll was luminary co-chair; I was in charge of putting the luminaries around the track and the on the Hope sign. Once those tasks were completed I again started doing what ever was needed. Summer 2009 was the first time we put floats in any parades. We entered floats in 4 parades, Heart of the Valley, Annapolis Valley Exhibition (2nd place community float), Berwick Gala Days, and Bridgetown Ciderfest. Also in 2009 I had the pleasure to attend RFL Summit in Halifax. After the Summit, our local relays got together and had our “mini Summit” called Rally in the Valley.
In 2010 I was invited back as a committee member, and elected Event Chair/ luminary co-chair and parade coordinator. I fulfilled all of these rolls; as well I co-hosted the Giant yard sale that raised over $4000. This year I got my parents involved with relay, the Middleton Lions Club, were unable to cook the pancake breakfast. My parents and friends offered to cook for us. This year we have participated in 5 parades; Apple Blossom (2nd place community float), Berwick Gala Days, Kingston Steer BBQ, Heart of the Valley festival, and Annapolis Valley Exhibition (3rd place Community float).
Cancer is all around us, not wanted but around us!
I would like to end this with a couple of quote:
“I wish cancer could get cancer and die itself; instead of taking people from our lives.”
“Cancer survivors can lift a million smiles and hearts, to help show others they can survive”
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