Cancer isn’t always easy to talk about. It is a gruesome killer that affects so many people today. My mom and my grandfather had cancer and a very dear friend of mine has it now. I know many people who saw a loved one live with cancer -- and unfortunately, many of us experienced the death of a loved one due to cancer or cancer treatment. Cancer absolutely, positively sucks.
Do you want to know what else sucks? Paying for cancer treatment. Why is it so expensive? How about instead of fundraising for a cure we also fundraise for cheaper, more available, affordable treatment and therapy? Not only is the treatment expensive, but everything else that goes along with it costs money: wigs, gas money, babysitters if you have a kid or a few, specific foods that are easier to eat when your mouth hurts from the treatment and medicine to counter the side-effects of the treatment, to name a few. The fact that often times people living with cancer can’t continue to work causes a lot of financial strain on the family. Living isn’t cheap and living when you’re too sick to earn an income to support yourself and your family is even worse.
A person being treated for cancer shouldn’t have to worry about money, bills or how they’re going to afford treatment. The only problem they should be focusing on is their own personal health -- be it emotional, mental, spiritual or physical. I’m not going to say I know what it is like to have cancer, but I do know what it is like to lose a parent to cancer and to worry about a loved one every day even though I know they are going to survive. I know what it’s like to look into the eyes of someone I love and see the pain they feel because someone they love is suffering. I especially know that I am not alone. I am one of the thousands, if not millions.
There are many other diseases to be worried about, but cancer is very widespread and unpredictable. I personally feel that we should be talking about it more in everyday dialogue, along with other incurable diseases. I also think we should start including affordable treatment into our fundraising goals. Finding the cure is important and many believe one already exists, but being able to afford treatment is just as important.