A year ago today, my sister died of cervical cancer, at the age of 30. Left behind, were two wonderful children, who are now 11 and 8 years old.
The last time I ever spoke to my sister, I asked if there was anything I could do for her. She said there was something. She asked that I take advantage of every opportunity to remind women to have their annual pap smears.
Cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat and cure, if it is detected early. My sister - a nurse who worked for a government funded clinic whose primary purpose is to provide these examinations at little or no cost - neglected to have her examination regularly. She paid with her life.
I'm not criticising my sister. She asked that I tell this story in the hopes that it would cause women to think about it, and schedule that exam, which may be past due. I would like to encourage people to support cancer research as well.
I thought that on the anniversary of Julz's death, I would do my best to honour her memory by asking all women to pick up the phone and make an appointment - and keep it. I'd also like to ask all men to encourage their wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and any other women in their lives, to do the same.
Cancer is a horrible way to die. It's slow, agonising, and much of what happens toward the end can even be humiliating. Don't let yourself or someone you love go that way, when you have the opportunity to prevent it.
PLEASE make that call.
With love,
DA & Julz
The last time I ever spoke to my sister, I asked if there was anything I could do for her. She said there was something. She asked that I take advantage of every opportunity to remind women to have their annual pap smears.
Cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat and cure, if it is detected early. My sister - a nurse who worked for a government funded clinic whose primary purpose is to provide these examinations at little or no cost - neglected to have her examination regularly. She paid with her life.
I'm not criticising my sister. She asked that I tell this story in the hopes that it would cause women to think about it, and schedule that exam, which may be past due. I would like to encourage people to support cancer research as well.
I thought that on the anniversary of Julz's death, I would do my best to honour her memory by asking all women to pick up the phone and make an appointment - and keep it. I'd also like to ask all men to encourage their wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and any other women in their lives, to do the same.
Cancer is a horrible way to die. It's slow, agonising, and much of what happens toward the end can even be humiliating. Don't let yourself or someone you love go that way, when you have the opportunity to prevent it.
PLEASE make that call.
With love,
DA & Julz
