I spent years working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, not only as a staff member but also as a volunteer. A large majority of the children have cancer. I personally witnessed how devastating this disease can be and personally witnessed it tear apart the lives of many children and their families. As fate would have it, I was diagnosed with cancer.
When you hear the words "I'm sorry but its cancer." your heart literally skips a beat. The surgery was successful and I am healthy now. But during the long months of recovery I cried and cried and asked God "Why me?...I held on to the dream of having children one day and now that option was gone."...a radical hysterectomy was needed to save my life. During a sermon at church we were asked to write down the following questions -"Am I allowing God to use my suffering for His glory? How can God be glorified by my life and my place in this world at this moment?" On that night, I wrote in my journal "Start Giving Back - Take care of others and God will take care of me". I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and to find a way to help make the journey which I just went through some what easier for the next person, and along the way maybe they would also see God working in their lives and fall in love with Him as I did 14 years ago.
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The financial burden which accompanies a diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming. My family and friends rushed to my side to help but I met so many women along the way who did not have the financial or emotional support I experienced. This began my year long journey of research and hard work on starting a non-profit business. One year later, Maiden Flight - Cancer Support Network was born. We have recently been awarded our 501(c)(3) status. Maiden Flight is devoted to assisting single women and men financially and emotionally as they go through their own personal journey with this horrific disease. In addition, we have a program to financially assist single parents who are in hospice care due to a diagnosis of cancer by extending educational scholarships and grants for help with day-to-day expenses for their children.
Cancer has no boundaries and neither will we. No one should go through the physical and emotional pain of cancer alone. Maiden Flight is committed to reaching across the globe to touch the hearts and lives of those who have to carry this cross. We want to help make it just a little lighter. During the month of May leading up to June 1st National Cancer Survivor Day, Maiden Flight is launching our organization internationally by beginning a grassroots email fundraiser. Please click on the link below for information on “TOUCHED BY A SURVIVOR - IF YOU KNOW ONE, GIVE ONE”. Our prayer is that every person whose life has been personally touched by cancer or knows someone who has been touched by cancer will give one dollar to support the many people who are in the battle, in honor of those who have lost the battle and to inspire the little ones left behind. Please join us by spreading the word of this joint effort around the globe.
I believe God spared me for this reason. If I can help ease the pain of just one other person through this organization...then that which I endured…the physical pain, the loss of my dream of having a child…has all been worth it. Cancer has no boundaries and neither will we. It is possible to take a tragedy/loss in your life and have it propel you into being a stronger person and along the way help someone else.
The world is at war for several reasons:
• Racial War
• Political War
• Religious War
• Cultural War
But there is one war…one battle where we all become egual … It is the war against cancer. Together we can make a differance. It is possible to take a tragedy/loss in your life and have it propel you into being a stronger person and along the way help someone else.
EPHESIANS 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations.”