National Cancer Survivor Day
I am a long term cancer survivor. In November, I will begin my 25th year since being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Today is being recognized as National Cancer Survivor’s Day. I often struggle when it comes to recognizing milestones or events associated with survival because I cannot grasp how to celebrate, when so many others are still struggling, fail to reach remission, or face recurrence. But by no means, do I wish to take away the enormous effort made to defeat a deadly disease. We do not volunteer for a cancer diagnosis, and are clearly forced to accept toxins and other hazards, some worse than the cancer itself, into our bodies, in the hopes of one day, hearing the words “remission” or “cure.”
25 years ago, I only heard of people dying from cancer. Today, I personally know over 1000 survivors of the millions that are alive today able to share their stories.
Today, I recognize my father as a cancer survivor. He just completed surgery for lung cancer three weeks ago.
I have long respected him for his character, his morals, his example, but today, he is so much more. Here’s to you dad, and the millions of other survivors in the world today!!
Paul's Heart 
Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!