SGA members share cancer experiences

By Christopher Vokolos
Collegian Reporter
February 21, 2007

Cancer took so much from family and me. It stole a loving husband, caring father and role model to me, whom I could never replace. My uncle, along with millions of others, lost the fight against cancer.

I couldn’t understand the fairness in the situation. A great man’s life was unnecessarily taken away. It left my aunt all alone to raise three young children, who, at the time, were too young to fully understand why Daddy wasn’t coming back. I asked myself how anyone could possibly overcome the aftermath of such a tragic event and keep going. In the months following my uncle’s death, I saw the response to this question take form right in front of my eyes.

The answer lies in two words: family and courage. These go hand in hand in aiding one another. My aunt, who is the true personification of the word courage, continues to raise three beautiful children. Side by side with courage lies family. It lies in grandparents who have hearts of gold, aunts and uncles who are filled with unconditional love and cousins who contain their uncle’s spirit. My cousins and aunt will never be alone and without a loving hand.

The power of courage means that my aunt will never understand what it feels like to give up. The power of courage means that my little cousins will continue to grow as their proud father smiles down upon them. The power of family means that my aunt will never be without a room filled with laugher and joy on the holidays. The power of family means that my little cousins will never be without a father figure. The power of courage and family together is how to overcome the hurt and pain left behind by cancer.

vokolosc1@lasalle.edu