“Cancer brought out the best in us.” John Taylor talks about his recent battle with cancer and how The American Cancer society helps us all.
Sometimes it takes a life changing experience to find your voice. It takes an earth shattering, mind altering, soul-numbing experience before you begin to speak out. Sometimes it takes being diagnosed with cancer before you truly develop a voice to speak out and a will to take action.
For me, that moment, that diagnosis, came in September of 2012, when I was diagnosed with metastatic, Stage III Testicular Cancer. At that time, I knew very little about the disease, and so my life was consumed in the fear of the worst. I was uninsured, not sure of what treatments would be like, not sure how we would afford it, and not sure how this would affect my life, and the life of my wife and kids. I wasn’t sure that I would even be alive today.
Cancer brought out the best of us. I saw exactly how strong my wife can be for our family, I saw how far my parents, my friends, and complete strangers were willing to go to support us. I met many survivors and warriors alike. I became part of a community that thrives on speaking out, sharing their experiences, and doing their best to make a difference.
Today, I can say that I am a survivor. I am one of the 2 out of 3 cancer patients who will beat their disease. I can also say that I found my voice when it comes to speaking out against cancer, and standing up to bring awareness, understanding, help, and support, and bringing the fight against cancer to the forefront. Silence will not stop the fight.
The American Cancer Society has led the fight against cancer finding cures, giving support, and saving lives for 100 years. 60 years ago, 1 out of 3 people diagnosed with cancer survived at least 5 years. Today, thanks in part to the work of the American Cancer Society, 2 out of 3 will survive, and we won’t stop until we make it 3 out of 3. The fight will not end until everyone diagnosed, survives.
The American Cancer Society was a great source of information, help, and support for me and my family during our fight. They have a proven track record of supporting the best ideas of the brightest cancer researchers. The ACS has a been part of nearly every major cancer breakthrough in recent history, and have 46 Nobel Laureates to show for it. There’s still more work to be done though. 100’s of research studies went unfunded while 577,000 Americans died of cancer this year.
Cancer thrives on silence, complacency, and business as usual. It thrives on the knowledge that is not spread, and the noise that is not made to bring attention to the disease, the fights, the research, the cures, and the patients. Only action will finish the fight.
This year, let’s make some noise! Let’s stop standing in silence and start creating the loudest voice yet in support of the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to always making noise, and never standing silent. Together, we will not rest, and will not stop making noise until 3 out of 3 people who are diagnosed survive this dreaded disease. Through survivors sharing experiences, through volunteering and donating to The American Cancer Society, through taking action and making the voice louder, we can all stand together. We can all stand loudly, and we can all make a difference.
**This post is sponsored by The American Cancer Society. Although this post is sponsored, the story shared and opinions expressed are those of the writer.**
Silence won’t finish the fight. Action will. Please consider donating to the American Cancer Society here.
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