We often hear about inspirational stories of patients overcoming this sickness through media. This twist in life tears up those who feel it personally. Medically, this word refers to a group of diseases that can be traced to abnormal cell growth. The sudden diagnosis may seem crippling at first for an adult, let alone a child or a teen whose freedom to shape their future becomes limited because of this.
I once wanted to write a short story about a teen cancer victim, but in the end, I didn’t know how I should approach it. Stepping into the shoes of a young person who can be very sick is challenging. Perhaps this is why February 15th is dedicated as “International Childhood Cancer Day” in countries around the world.
This condition is brutal; many succumb to it, but others find sprouting hope gradually. About 10,000 Canadian children suffer from different types of cancer today, most commonly Leukaemia. Each year, approximately 1500 cases spring up.
Already struggling with physical weakness at times, childhood cancer patients have to keep themselves determined emotionally. Others may pity these individuals, but it takes maturity for them not to pity themselves and walk with their head low and mum. While Terry Fox Runs are now a mainstay in most of our schools to showcase willpower, I’m still amazed every time I hear about how the young speakers or their relatives find the courage to keep striving and thriving.
Don’t let gloom take over your thoughts on childhood cancer. Nowadays, childhood cancers have a 75% cure rate compared to less than 10 percent in the 1950s. The Childhood Cancer Canada foundation‘s research states that Leukaemia as a childhood cancer has a 90% cure rate. Keep in mind, this is only if/when health care is available to these patients.
Look at the progress that has been made. Amid blanketing uncertainty, there are pockets of strength in knowing that you can cope with support from others and hope for the best. Read about the Words of Hope campaign from last year here.
