An eye opener
Monday, June 14, 2010
By: Marlene Coffey

Appreciate the simple things in life and don't sweat over the small stuff!

In 1994, when I first became an ambulance attendant, I was VERY YOUNG and very GREEN. I was assigned the job of bringing a 53 year old woman back and forth for chemotherapy; 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Why am I telling you this? Well these transports changed my life. I too was young and self centered back then, complaining over the most simple things that didn’t go my way. After meeting " ANNE", my life did a complete turn around, it opened my eyes to the absolute horror stories that exist all around us.

For the many hours I waited for this lady, I watched people come through the doors of the Cancer Clinic, and listened to conversations in the waiting room, and watched people leave with tears streaming down their face. If this wouldn’t have change my attitude nothing could have.

On a more personal note, 3 of my 4 grandparents died after being affected by Cancer; one of my childhood friends died at the age of 20 to this terrible disease and only 5 months ago my dad, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and he is doing GREAT!!!

On a BRIGHTER NOTE, I have many friends and family members who are Survivors. Yes "SURVIVORS" and I want to see more people walk the Survivor Lap at a Relay For Life event to give the people still fighting their own battle, Courage and Strength to keep fighting…