Why I’m A Lucky Man
I’m lucky for all the usual reasons. family, friends, education, America and health. I’ve faced health challenges, but I’m lucky. Someone is patiently tapping me on the shoulder until I get it. We adapt to almost anything. Adaptation is some of the magic of being human. Sometimes it is to easy to forget hard won lessons. I've forgotten and relearned many “live in the now” lessons. Now is the only time we own.
Cancer patients may know more about time than most. They know time is precious and far from guaranteed. Now is the only sure thing, this moment is a cancer patient's single truth. Cancer patients hug more and more easily. Much of life's underbrush is cleared away by the Big C. Petty and trivial seem inappropriately small and trite. Time is too valuable for fear or smallness.
Fear is a tricky thing. Back in the cave fear kept us safe and warm. Being paranoid of large animals capable of eating us was prudent. This well planted lizard brain fear has no modern outlet. Modern culture and life create and invent fear. This kind of fear is usually about bringing the future forward. "I have cancer so I will die," is an example of a "future fear". It can be hard to remember we are all terminal. It is not a question of if we will die but when.
"Create like your creations will live forever and live like you will die tomorrow," was a quote I read somewhere. It is a good quote that captures two sides of life's lucky coin. Things we create may remain after we're gone, but no one steps into the same river twice. We leave and a new river creates itself. Life goes on.
The lucky part is knowing we are here now with strangers working to save our lives. Cancer researchers at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center are working to cure cancer. Doctors and researches at biotech companies such as Genentech, BioGen Idec and GlaxoSmithKline are creating new cancer fighting drugs. There is a new altruism forcing cancer to the curb. Curing cancer may have reached a crucial tipping point.
Altruism isn’t easy or inexpensive. I grew up with kids whose families understood Noblesse oblige; a French phrase meaning those who’ve been given or create much should give to a greater good. My hard working Scottish family understood work and parsimony more than Noblesse oblige. I’m not uber-wealthy so Bill Gates and Warren Buffet’s foundation efforts can’t be emulated. I will do the best I can, learn as I go, share my journey and contribute, however small, to curing cancer.
If you are thankful too, please donate to Martin's Ride to cure cancer. 100% of donations go to cancer research at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center. Together we cure cancer in our lifetime, and, on that day, we will all be lucky.
Thanks,
Marty
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Martin Smith
Founder, Martin's Ride