This weekend I will be participating in the Relay for Life with hundreds (maybe thousands?) of other students.
I was excited about it, but lately, the excitement as gone away.
If you dont know what Relay is-- its for the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research. The events are around 24 hours and you and your team walk around a track.
I dont want to say it, but I am sick of raising money for cancer research.
There, I said it. It was a lot easier than I thought.
Trust me, I know people that have had it--my own 2 grandmothers, father and 2 aunts have had some form of cancer.
Its not that I dont love them (of course I do) or that I dont care about the severity of the disease, its that sooo much money goes to cancer research and it seems that no money goes to other things.
I have seen COUNTLESS pink items and shirts for breast cancer. Breast cancer is not the only disease women get. What about heart disease? a MAJOR killer of women.
My father, grandmother and grandfather all have diabetes. I have never once been asked to raise/donate money for diabetes research.
My mom, grandparent (arent sure which one), aunt and I all have a blood disorder. Is any research or funding going into hemophilia or von willebrands? the answer is basically no.
There are so many other diseases and disorders that affect people besides cancer, but cancer seems to be the only thing anyone cares about.
Yes, I know they have MS walks, march of dimes, leukimia and a host of other walks, but those seem to get lost in the dust as the American Cancer Society takes over.
I fully support (mostly) anything that goes to helping many people (or people in general),and it may seem harsh, but sometimes it feels like too much.
I understand what you mean. My school is raising money for relay for life too! I totally get what you're saying, but I think that if they can find a cure for cancer, that will lead to cures for other diseases!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean too. My boyfriend has type I diabetes, and he gives himself needles every day, has to test his blood sugar all the time, and has a constant dose of insulin going into his body from a catheter and pump he wears on his hip. It's a terrible disease, and there are so many other diseases out there that do get overshadowed by cancer. When I was home last weekend my mom asked me if there were any diabetes fundraisers or organizations that my family could donate too. She said she would much rather do that than buy another pink thing. I agree that cancer research is important, but other diseases are too! Have fun at the relay though!
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