the "C" word

Not a great topic. I know. It is taboo and no-one wants to talk about it. Just this past week we have known 3 people who have succumbed to this dreadful disease. Just this past week, I had lunch with four friends. I was the only one who had not lost a parent to this disease. Just this past week, one of my dear friends sitting at that very table had recently been diagnosed with the disease at the tender age of 33. Just this past week, I had dinner with my 8 year old nephew at a Chinese restaurant and his fortune cookie said, "You will live a healthy and prosperous life." He clapped his hands and said "Yay, I won't get cancer!" I looked at him in disbelief and asked him to repeat what he said. It was exactly what I had heard. My conclusion- we had better start talking about this.

I must admit, I have very little awareness about the disease but what I do know it has afflicted too many people I love. What do we do about this? Just sit by and ring our hands together hoping it will not arrive at someone else's door step? It is the most helpless feeling of all.