Cancer is a Dirty Word

Houston's world famous MD Anderson Cancer Center uses a great double entendre in all of its marketing. In fact, "Making Cancer History"® is a registered trademark; a powerful message in 3 simple words! Three words that nary a single person would oppose. MD Anderson is doing extraordinary leading-edge research with one simple mission - end cancer, everywhere.

I do not know a single person unaffected by cancer. As of this writing, I am pleased to report that I have reached age 60 without personally having cancer of any kind, but I have seen more than my fair share of death to friends or family. The past 2 years alone has left me with great sadness coupled with tremendous gratitude for the miracle of  remission in a few. 

One of the definitions for "remission" from Dictionary.com: a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease.

Troubling for me is the temporary part. Truthfully, life itself is only temporary. I am encouraged by some of the latest cancer treatments that are delivering a "permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of cancer"; if only until one's designated and predetermined hour of death due to other causes.

Over the past several days the world has heard of US Senator John McCain's diagnosis of brain cancer; a form considered to be very aggressive. This is discouraging news indeed, especially for those personally connected to Senator McCain. Today, I will stand in prayer for Senator McCain and his family, but also for the thousands of those who are afflicted with cancer and are not famous, except as courageous heroes to their own family and friends.

Thank you MD Anderson for your continued fight to make cancer history!

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