The power of community

 

It's taken me a few days to reflect on this past weekend's Steps to Cure Sarcoma event. While many of those fighting the disease and their families traveled to the Philadelphia area for the official event, my team celebrated locally.

One of the things I was feeling on the day of was related to my lack of appreciation for being in the spotlight. I don't love the attention being on me. And this was especially hard because the attention or focus had to be on me - as it is my cancer we were coming together to stand up against and raise funds for. 

In talking through this with my therapist this week, I've come to realize had I been at the official event, I would not have been any more focused on than anyone else. 

This special group would have been with me. I appreciated that being pointed out to me. It reminds me that I am not alone in this grief, this pain, this fight. Every single one of these people is fighting for that better chapter, the opportunity to grasp health and to believe that the best is yet to come.

And these are some of the people making it happen, including my own oncologist who showed up that day to be there for his patients and this purpose.

Our group walked about a mile around the neighborhood, while others ran or walked together at the event

It was impressive to see so many teams out in strong force to say 'you're not alone,' and that is exactly what I felt that Sunday morning. Less alone.

Special thanks to my parents who put together a beautiful, and delicious, brunch that followed our walk. Having everyone who was there gathered together on a warm but beautiful day is when I allowed myself to look around and fully appreciate how lucky I truly am. In a time in life when 'luck' feels out of grasp most of the time, I know - because of this special day - I am extremely lucky.

Lucky to have the circle of support by extension of my parents' incredible friend group, and from my best friend since childhood. And it also extends far beyond those who were able to be there that day. A lot of people are rooting for us. All of us who wake up each day and muster the courage to fight another day.

And to all of you who contributed, our Team - Chance for a Cure - raised over $7,000! Which, to brag just a little, put us in third place out of all the teams out there that day. Every day.