Stand Up To Cancer

Wikipedia defines normal as "conforming to a standard."

We go about our lives trying to protect our sense of what's "normal" until we are forced to confront something. That something is usually quite drastic, even, God forbid, life threatening. Then our character is put to the test.

Why does it take a threat to our normalcy before we do anything proactively? When you are faced with life's challenges, do you concede or do you rise?

Does it have to take a threat to our own livelihood or that of a loved one to get us to shift our idea of normal, to get us to act now?

Allow the story of Ben's strength to be an example of the power that you too have within you, and RISE.

Ben is a 19-year-old freshman in college and an avid soccer player. Ben did not concede to what cancer was asking of him; he decided that in addition to doing his treatments, he would be an offensive player and challenge cancer head-on. Just as he did on the soccer field, Ben found the strength within himself to create a team of players to DOMINATE cancer. By doing his treatments and building a community with his doctors, family and friends, Ben created the Cuck Fancer Team and saw that strength in teamwork can prevail.

Ben created a bracelet that tells the world "cuck fancer." He wanted to sell the bracelet and raise money for the Lymphoma Society. His intention was to raise $1200; he and his friends were superstars and raised $6100. Ben has also created a website with the help of his aunt. The link is cuck-fancer.com. You can purchase these bracelets through him for$2 and the proceeds will continue to go to cancer research.

Ben has also created video logs. He courageously and generously shared the experience of going through his treatments, as well as any doubts or questions that were being raised for him during this time. Through recounting his experiences and using the Internet, he has reached out and touched others in a true time of need. Whether you have cancer or know someone or are just interested in learning and connecting. Ben's site is definitely worth the visit.

Let Ben's example of reaching out and helping others motivate each one of us. Look within and activate your power and rise to meet your life. Set a new bar for normal in your world -- which touches us all.

You can catch all of Ben's vlogs on his web site, http://www.cuck-fancer.com/, and there you can become a part of his team.

Together, through sharing our stories, we have the power to heal.

--Yael Canavan, proud SU2C web team member