Life as a Riordan : 2012

As I am sitting here listening to Christmas music I thought, what better time to write down my thoughts on this wonderful month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness! Yeah I know, Christmas music in October is a little early but if you are me...June isn't even early. I just love it.

This whole month I have been struggling with how I feel towards the pink that overflows store shelves, Facebook posts, TV commercials, etc. While I do feel that raising awareness for breast cancer is of high importance, I don't feel that it is of GREATER importance than any other cancer. Sure there is a pretty pink ribbon that goes along with it making it very easy for department stores and everyone else to get in on the action and encourage you to buy their products, but do you really need that pink....anything? Did any of you know that it is also Liver Cancer Awareness month? Yeah, I didn't think many of you did. The ribbon for that is emerald green, where are the emerald green sections of stores?

I am not taking away from the fact the breast cancer affects many people, both male and female, but to overshadow every other cancer doesn't seem very proactive when it comes to awareness. Yes I wear my "save 2nd base" shirt and I have a few other pink out shirts that are incorporated into my wardrobe, I am not saying that you shouldn't show support, but don't just stop there.

Many people know that my family has participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life for the past 15 years at least. My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (which is one of the many cancer's whose awareness month is September) when I was 10 and Lung Cancer (whose awareness month is November) this past year. We have friends and family who have lost the battle with cancer, and many that are still battling, and those who have won. Because of the many cancers that have affected my family...my mom has come up with this motto "One Team One Dream." We are all a part of one team with the one dream that this world will be rid of cancer. It is a dream that is so close to our hearts that we wear bracelets daily to remind us to continue to fight and continue to pray. We chose the American Cancer Society to support because it covers ALL types of cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide with lung cancer right at the top of that list. Cancer sucks, it is crap, it is terrible and it isn't picky. It invades lives like it has a right to be there and it needs to be stopped. So we dedicate our time/money to ridding the world of all types, they all suck. That is where our passions lie.

I am not asking you to stop supporting breast cancer awareness, but while you are buying/wearing your pink, posting about saving the tata's and rocking out at the Susan G. Koman race for a cure, keep everyone else in mind, too. Pray about a cure for all cancers. I will think pink this month but it doesn't stop there for me.

For those that struggle with seeing all the pink when you're own struggles seem to get overshadowed, know that they aren't. Know that the sight of pink shouldn't make you angry, it should make you want to get the word out even MORE about the other types of cancer affecting people. Know there are people out there like me who pray for you daily, and God doesn't see in pink, your color matters, too. Lean on him!

Here is a breakdown of cancer awareness months!