Why We Don’t ‘Battle’ Cancer

Often times we hear people say they are ‘battling cancer’ or that they are ‘fighting with cancer.’ In war, there is always a winner and a loser, and here at Cancer Support Community we believe that there is never going to be a winning or a losing side when it comes to someone’s journey with cancer.

Take for example one of ESPN’s most beloved and talented sports anchors, Stuart Scott. If you were to ask any person if they believe he ‘lost’ to cancer the day he died, ten times out of ten the answer would be no. Stuart woke up every day with the mindset that he would never let the circumstances of his health dictate the way he lived his life. He continued going to work, boxed as often as he could and never missed the opportunity to travel and spend time with his family.

When he was presented with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYS last year, his acceptance speech really hit home for us. He said,

“I also realized something else recently, you heard me kind of allude to a little piece. I said, I’m not losing, I’m still here, I’m still fighting, I’m not losing. But I have to amend that. When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live.”

We agree with Stuart.

Cancer is not a game with a winner or a loser. You and you alone will determine how you live with cancer regardless of the outcome. Continue doing what you love and make the most of every day, but most importantly, in the words of another beloved and celebrated sports icon, Jimmy Valvano: “don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”