Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Current mood: Still inspired
By this point, I think everyone has watched the Oprah Interview and has their opinion on Lance Armstrong. I as many others also watched it. It may surprise many but I do still respect him. But let me clarify myself. I do not respect him as an athlete however I am a young adult cancer survivor and I do still respect him for all that he has done for the young adult cancer community. His Livestrong Foundation helped me get through some of my darkest days in my cancercrapness journey.
When I first read the Livestrong Manifesto, there was one line that especially stuck out to me. And I still believe it's true today.....Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life.
LIVESTRONG MANIFESTO...
We believe in life.Your life.
We believe in living every minute of it with every ounce of your being.
And that you must not let cancer take control of it.
We believe in energy: channeled and fierce.
We believe in focus: getting smart and living strong.
Unity is strength. Knowledge is power. Attitude is everything.
This is LIVESTRONG.
We kick in the moment you're diagnosed.
We help you accept the tears. Acknowledge the rage.
We believe in your right to live without pain.
We believe in information. Not pity.
And in straight, open talk about cancer.
With husbands, wives and partners. With kids, friends and neighbors. Your healthcare team. And the people you live with, work with, cry and laugh with.
This is no time to pull punches.
You're in the fight of your life.
We're about the hard stuff.
Like finding the nerve to ask for a second opinion.
And a third, or a fourth, if that's what it takes.
We're about preventing cancer. Finding it early. Getting smart about clinical trials.
And if it comes to it, being in control of how your life ends.
It's your life. You will have it your way.
We're about the practical stuff.
Planning for surviving. Banking your sperm. Preserving your fertility. Organizing your finances. Dealing with hospitals, specialists, insurance companies and employers.
It's knowing your rights.
It's your life.
Take no prisoners.
We're about the fight.
We're your advocate before policymakers. Your champion within the healthcare system. Your sponsor in the research labs.
And we know the fight never ends.
Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life.
This is LIVESTRONG.
Founded and inspired by Lance Armstrong, one of the toughest cancer survivors on the planet.
Lance says his most humbling moment was when he had to step down from his Livestrong Foundation.
For me the most important question Oprah asked him was....What do you say to the millions of people who are wearing your yellow bracelets? To the millions, who believed?....
80 Million Livestrong Bracelets were sold...$500 Million Dollars raised for Cancer Awareness.
I was one of those 80 Million who bought and wore a Livestrong Bracelet.
I wore my Livestrong Bracelet through 15 hours of cancer surgery and reconstruction. I still have that bracelet today!
Lance's response was...he was sorry.
I do believe that Lance is sorry for hurting the people who supported him through the Livestrong Foundation, however I don't buy the fact that he is sorry for doping. I think he is sorry he got caught.
Thank you Lance for helping me through some of my darkest days, I wish you all the best in your darkest days...
LIVESTRONG!
