Hi there, hope your week is off to a great start! Did you happen to catch this commercial that aired during the Super Bowl? It’s just a simple, one minute commercial that will tug at your heart strings. I love how the couple says so little, though their faces say so much. Then at the closing, there is a call to celebrate survivors and those who support them on the road to recovery. Well done Chevy and American Cancer Society!


So just what IS World Cancer Day?

World Cancer Day takes place every year on February 4th and is the singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic. World Cancer Day is a chance to raise our collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and dismissing misconceptions about the disease. To learn much more visit: worldcancerday.org. Now that we’ve talked about the what, let’s discuss the why.

Why is World Cancer Day important enough to devote a blog post to? Not only because national days of awareness and fundraising shine a spotlight on important issues, but the collective shout-out can speak volumes to those in the trenches who need to hear, “Hey. We see you. You matter and you will never be forgotten.”

Whenever we go through chronically draining and stressful circumstances, it can sometimes feel quite isolating as everyone around us seems to move on in life – meanwhile deep in the trenches, life seems to stutter and stall out. Sure, there may be alot of verbal support. Perhaps even some meals delivered.

But in the dark of night, no one may be there to comfort those awakened in a cold sweat wondering is this truly reality or could it all be just an awful nightmare. Maybe you can somehow relate because you’ve suffered the ramifications of some other scary diagnosis, a divorce, or a death in the family? Maybe you’ve experienced a devastating job loss or maybe your job search has drug on for many years with no end in sight? Maybe you find yourself drawn toward those hurting in a whole new way, after the hurt you have experienced yourself.

My family has not personally experienced cancer, but we have experienced other trials that have broken us wide open by a different, yet similar kind of suffering. This is where my heart for those living with cancer comes in. It is one of many trials that can touch every aspect of life for years at a time. Like so many of us, I have spent time in a season of life that feels like existing in survival mode,
so I very much want others currently in this season to know they are not as alone as they may sometimes feel. The need I had for someone to come alongside me and understand, has translated to a desire to come alongside others whose lives are deeply affected by their own suffering. This is why my girls and I have found it so rewarding to volunteer for a ministry called Cancer Hope in various capacities. This is one of the organizations I wrote about here.

Making rainbow loom bracelets for Cancer Hope’s Creations for Christ team

Watching a You-Tube tutorial on bracelet making
Yep, these kids love rainbow looming and they love to brighten others’ days with their creations
It doesn’t take any special skills and it doesn’t take alot of time to be a Cancer Hope volunteer. You can even volunteer completely from the comfort of your own home! There are many different ways to help within Cancer Hope alone, but there are also outreach ministries with a similar mission all over the world. I simply hoped to share just one example of how easy it can be to get involved with an organization devoted to loving others through their cancer experience. 
If you would like to learn more about Cancer Hope, click here or here.

Looking for other ways to help? Here’s one great place to start: If you have a Facebook or Twitter account, you can turn your profile pictures purple to celebrate cancer survivors on World Cancer Day. Chevrolet will contribute $1 to the American Cancer Society for every purple profile, up to $1 million.
Read more here

If there is any way I can help or answer any questions about Cancer Hope, please let me know. Do you have any good ideas on how to support those living with cancer? Share in the comments below!