We've all seen them a million times, ribbons in all different colors on cars, bracelets, shirts, you name it. We make a donation, think of someone we know affected by cancer, and usually move on, knowing we donated to a great cause. We use the ribbon as a reminder that maybe life isn't so bad and some people are fighting a much bigger fight than this Monday morning.
To some people, a cancer ribbon is so much more. It represents hours of fight, exhaustion and sickness. It represents games and events they missed because their immune system wasn't strong enough to leave the house. It represents nights in the hospital bed not knowing what the complication was this time. It represents a period of their life that changed them forever.
The ribbon serves as a reminder of the strength they have inside them, knowing they can defeat any challenge they may face. A reminder of optimism to get them through tough days at work. A reminder of all they are now able to experience thanks to the power of prayer and medicine. A reminder that they left it all on the field for the biggest game of their life.
Sadly, for others, the ribbons is a symbol of grief and loss. A symbol of the memories they were never able to make with their grandfather when cancer took him much too soon. A symbol of widows, parent-less children, and all others affected. A symbol of the incredible lives they all lived before cancer won.
For everyone, a cancer ribbon should represent hope. Hope that no matter the diagnosis, how long they have to live or how tired they may be, with the right mindset, support group, and determination they can, and will, win this battle.
Every day scientists and doctors head to work and devout their career to finding a cure. Cancer is naive to think they will keep winning. Mankind is smart and medicine is strong, and one day that ribbon will only represent the lives already taken and cancer will now be the one with the losing record.
To me, the ribbon represents unity. An agreement that no one should ever face this disease alone. A reminder of the strength and perspective I gained along the way. A symbol that I can now go skiing with my dad and my best friend can still pick on her younger brother. Next time you see a cancer ribbon, stop and think for a second, what does this ribbon mean to you?
