The Blessings of Cancer
by Regan Hulsing, Waukee High School
“Your child has cancer.” Most people view these words as a curse. Little do they know, it leads to uncountable blessings.
Ten years ago, I went to my first University of Iowa Dance Maratho? and week of Camp Heart Connection with the Children’s Cancer Connectio? following my Ewing’s Sarcoma iliagnosis. As a nine-year-old, I didn’t understand why they both existed. I knew during those drives home that I made spectacular friendships, did new things. I had fun, and never would’ve thought they could change my life so much. But two years ago, reality hit.
I lost my mom. Many people my family knew appeared at the visitation and funeral. I felt I was supposed to be strong, refrain from breaking down in front of the handful of strangers. Then someone affiliated with childhood cancer walked in. They provided me with comfort, reminding me that it’s okay to cry. I realized why these relationships were so important to me, marking the beginning ofmy passion for childhood cancer awareness, and my survivorship.
I hated speaking about my cancer. After treatment finished, my first instinct was,
“Pretend that never happened.” 1 disliked the attention given to me, due to lack of experience in the spotlight before treatment I was afraid of how people would act, my friends and even teachers. Today, I hope people don’t treat me differently, yet I’m not scared to tell people my story anymore.
By ‘my story’, I don’t mean,” Hi, I’m Regan and I had Ewing’s sarcoma.” I mean, “Hi, I’m Regan and I have a second family.” Truly, those friends became brothers and sisters, and camp activities became tiny pieces of the puzzle. In fact, a CCC employee quoted: “You can take away the rock wall, zip line, and horses. It would still be camp,” meaning we didn’t need them for our relationships, just each other. After hearing this, I thought nothing could be more accurate. That’s something I will always remember.
On the day you read this, I communicated with at least one person from camp or OM,
without doubt. When I see those friends, there’s no need to even hug because I saw them just the other day. Without the events that sparked the evolution of my passion for childhood cancer
awareness, this wouldn’t be the case. There aren’t enough “thank you’s” in the world to express
the gratitude I have.
Cancer took a toll on me, but also served as a haven. With all the disadvantages it
brought, I still wouldn’t take it back. If I had to do it again for the same outcome, I would. That is survivorship; the gifts after cancer. It introduced phenomenal friendships and a twist in my life story. Next fall, I’ll be attending the University ofiowa, where I was treated, and am hoping to continue my involvement with Dance Marathon by dancing to save lives. I’ll never let it go.
“Your child has cancer,” might change your life. Stay positive. There may be perks.
