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I don't know about the rest of you but it becomes very frustrating when our own country cannot balance its budget, spends money like drunken sailors and places the ramifications on the backs of hard working Americans. Then along come the natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. I don't have an exact number on just how much the U.S. provides to other countries but I know it's quite an extraordinary figure. On top of that, we see fundraisers for the victims of these tragedies to which celebrities in particular--but others as well--contribute literally millions of dollars. Does anyone who has contributed to Haiti actually think any of that money will ever get to the people? Please!
In the meantime, there is a growing natural disaster in this country to which most are oblivious except of course those living it. It's called cancer and it can turn a person's life upside down just as fast as an earthquake or a flood. Its ramifications can leave you homeless, jobless, having to make choices between eating and obtaining often vital medications, many to alleviate agonizing pain.
Of course I see fundraisers for various cancer "research", but what about fundraisers to actually help the patients? Money to help them rebuild their lives and alleviate the near constant daily stress which only causes further deterioration of their condition, because we all know what stress does to the body and the immune system.
I'm glad Sean Penn and others think that Haiti has the potential for such vast improvements. Potential perhaps; likelihood, not so much. The American Cancer Society does not provide financial assistance*, much to the surprise of most people, instead they just give you a list of phone numbers that you can call and repeat your story to over and over again trying to receive assistance, as if that isn't traumatic. Far too many cancer organizations think that the patient's need ends when treatment ends. This couldn't be further from the truth. It actually is just the beginning for most of these folks. They've previously been caught up in their treatment schedule, doctor’s appointments, appointments for CT scans and PET scans, chemotherapy, etc., and have no time to even focus on daily life because this is what it had become. But when treatments ends, daily life is never the same and too many patients find themselves financially destitute, lacking emotional support, and needing help because side effects complicate what were once simple everyday chores.
These are the forgotten. I think"survivor" is an incorrect classification because often they are not even surviving, they're barely existing. And, while it's nice that the ACS provides a beauty session with free make-up to help women feel better about themselves, personally I'd rather have a check to pay my electric bill or put food on the table.
Perhaps it's long past the time when we should be looking within our own country to those who have been just as ravaged and just as emotionally and financially devastated as the others we so quickly rush to support. Perhaps it is time for these same people to contribute to a fund which will provide houses to cancer victims who have lost theirs, or funds to pay their living expenses, medical bills, and to help to obtain their much-needed medications and even buy food. I think I speak for many victims of cancer, especially those whose cancer is HPV-related: a virus which will affect 80 percent of us at some point in our lives yet most haven’t even heard of it.
Bring the compassion home to care for those Americans who are struggling every day but for whom no-one is putting on a fundraiser to assist their needs. Charity begins at home and far too many have forgotten that very simple slogan.
• The American Cancer Society provides minimal financial support in the way of gas cards for travel. This is only provided for treatment and not for follow-up or other necessary appointments once treatment ends.
Reviewed May 23, 2011
Edited by Alison Stanton
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