Courage, Faith and Hope in Childhood Cancer

Editor’s Note: This piece was submitted by a contributing writer and does not represent the views of CURE Media Group.

Today I visited a children’s cancer ward for the very first time in my life. I must admit to a great deal of apprehension about this encounter, for I didn’t really know if I could handle it, either emotionally or intellectually. I was afraid not only for the children, but for myself as well.

But as it turned out, I needn’t have been fearful at all. I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams, all the positive, productive energy at work in this place. I saw tremendous courage and tenacity on the faces of the children, as well as their parents. Their strength of character and determination was evident, no matter what they were doing. Some children were receiving medication, while others were just simply playing games, all the while attached to machines of all sorts.

If I were to sum up this particular experience in a nutshell, I would have to mention three common denominators. These children all displayed courage to face the ordeal at hand, faith which helped them to persevere throughout it, and perhaps most importantly, they possessed something very critical to success: the hope that things will get better tomorrow. Is this not a good lesson for all of us to learn? For these three things: COURAGE, FAITH AND HOPE are the key ingredients in any happy, meaningful and truly successful life. What a wonderfully fitting place to learn such an important lesson about life and how to live it.

DEDICATION: This piece is dedicated to all children, the world over, who are trying the very best they can do to cope with their particular illness. All the very best to each and every one of you!!!