Letter to the Editor: Imagine a world with more birthdays

Dear Editor,

Cancer is a disease that, unfortunately, touches all of us in one way or another. It touched our family in July 2005 with the dreaded words, "The tumor looks malignant." My husband, Keith James, was diagnosed with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma already in Stage III.

Nothing can ever prepare you or your loved ones for that conversation and the sharp turn your life takes. It is then that you can either decide to crawl into that proverbial hole, the one that hasn't heard of cancer, or you can choose to fight. And fight is what Keith did and continues to do. With the help of an aggressive clinical trial and an experimental drug, he has been in remission since December 2005. We thank God every day that we are graced with Keith's presence, and we also thank the American Cancer Society for the continued funding for research that will one day lead to a cure. Each birthday Keith celebrates is a gift to all of us.

We know that you are asked continuously to help with one charity or another; however, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life is fighting for a cure to end the cancer that has affected all of us. Springfield always has impressed me as a community that does a tremendous amount of giving back, and that is exactly what The American Cancer Society needs right now. Please be a part of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Sponsor Luncheon on Dec. 8.

As a corporate sponsor, you can assist American Cancer Society in helping people get well, stay well and find a cure for cancer. Together, we can make sure that you and your loved ones never have to hear the words that we did. Join us and learn more about becoming a Relay for Life sponsor and celebrating more birthdays.[[In-content Ad]]