Help fight Cancer

As most of my friends know, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months ago. This really shot some shocks waves through our family. Dealing with the fact that someone you love has cancer is something that no one can prepare you for. When one find out of the diagnosis, the impact is somewhat surreal. However, as the cancer increases and starts to take its toll on the one you love, the feeling of helplessness really sets in and the realisation of this disease hits home, literally.

You want to help, but you have no idea how or what to do. Suddenly the reality of death creeps in and before you know it, you are in a depression caused by the helplessness feeling. This, however, is not good for the support that the one you love needs. But how does one get inspiration to be positive to help the cancer victim fight this uphill battle?

Then, a week or so ago, my dad shared with me the story of Joppie Fourie. The story of a man that plan to walk 5 100 kilometres, 113 towns, approximately one year and Ten Million Steps for Cancer! A man, his love for his late daughter and those who are suffering from cancer, a customised hospital bed and about ten million steps.

Joppie training for his long walk

This is the story of the 50 year old Joppie from Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, South Africa for 2011 and 2012. On Saturday 6 August 2011 Ten Million Steps for Cancer will start in honour of Joppie and his ex-wife’s daughter Marlené Fourie. 17 year old Marlené was born on 9 August 1991 and passed away on 5 July 2009 after suffering from a very aggressive and extremely painful type of bone cancer.

It is Marlené’s positive attitude, her way of embracing life, her love for life during her last months, her hope, her love and her inspiration that inspired her dad Joppie to take the first of Ten Million Steps for Cancer on the Saturday prior to celebration of what would have been Marlené’s 19th birthday this year.

So if I may, let’s pledge our support for Joppie and his cause to stand up and be positive for the people we love, people we knew and people we know that have been touched by this evil disease, CANCER.

Click on the link: http://www.tenmillionstepsforcancer.org.za/

Can you make a difference? ………DAMN STRAIGHT!!!