Unfair | A Challenge

Is it possible to mourn the loss of someone you barely know?

On Friday evening I learned about the death of someone I could call a friendly acquaintance, at best. And it felt like a punch to the gut.

It’s a small town. Everyone knows everybody, at least a little. However even if you didn’t know Amber at all, I would imagine that the life she was dealt would cause you to pause.

Her story was simply tragic. It’s not logical, nor is it fair.

A newlywed should not be diagnosed with breast cancer, especially in her early 30’s. Someone that age should not be wearing a “survivor” t-shirt while advocating for a cure. When she thinks she has the flu, the doctor should be giving her antibiotics – not telling her that her cancer has returned. She shouldn’t have died a week later, only a day before her sister’s wedding. Her husband shouldn’t have to deal with the new house they bought together on his own; the one that they hadn’t even had the chance to move in to yet.

It’s all just unthinkable. Stuff like that just should not happen. And what bothers me the most about Amber’s story, is that it just as easily could have happened to me… or to one of my sisters… or worse yet, it could happen someday to my daughter.

Something has to be done.

Amber was the co-chair of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides walk – an event that will take place in Crawfordsville this weekend. Because she can no longer advocate for her cause, I am doing what I can to spread the word and further her mission. It’s the least I can do. I may not have known her well, nor am I necessarily a huge fan of everything turning pink in October, but I think we can all agree that this is a cause worth supporting.

I will be donating to Amber’s team, and I challenge each of you reading this to do something this month to help find a cure – for breast cancer, for liver cancer, for lung cancer, for brain cancer, etc. You are here, and you are able. Whichever color of ribbon you sport, do something about it this month.

Because all cancer sucks. 

I would love to hear how you plan to help find a cure, for whatever your passion, this month. Let me know in the comments!