Nobody realizes just how drastically an event can flip one’s world upside down until they, or someone close to them, experiences it. Unfortunately, this rings true, especially with cancer. People push it off and don’t recognize what a danger it is until it consumes their lives with worry and fear. It’s like a termite infestation; it creeps out of nowhere and people are forced to take action. It occupies every thought until its verdict is reached. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer puts an early end to over 600,000 people’s stories every year in the United States alone, and this number continues to rise. The world needs to bring this situation to light and support it in any way possible.
One way this took place was the “Kick Cancer” game that the girl’s soccer team held on May 6 to bring attention to breast cancer. One of the many players helping out by playing in this game was Selah Hill-Dale, senior. Hill-Dale said, “We all wore wristbands, and they sold t-shirts that lots of parents and community members wore because lots of people have been impacted by cancer.” She and her teammates consider this game to hold much significance, seeing as they were able to help those around them and support their coach in a way that they could.
Erica Vega, head of the girls JV soccer team and assistant coach for the Varsity soccer team, believes this game was the most important one of the year. All of the proceeds of the game went towards the Especially For You Program, which helps those struggling with breast cancer. Vega said, “Win or lose, our program made an impact… and that truly is what matters.” She was excited to be a part of this game, seeing as her family has been greatly affected by breast cancer throughout the years. In 2013, Vega’s aunt passed away from breast cancer, and in 2014, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with all of her treatments, Vega recalled that her mother never missed a soccer match of hers. Even now as her mother is in remission, there are multiple medical appointments a year, as well as medication to make sure she stays in remission. She believes that early detection is essential and something that people aren’t aware of enough. Through it all, Vega has only grown stronger and continues to help those in the same situation that her mother was in by drawing attention to cancer and fundraising like this game.
More and more people die due to cancer every year. It cannot be avoided, but it can be much easier to overcome with early detection. The girls soccer team brought awareness to cancer with the “Kick Cancer” game, and it is time that the rest of the world should start doing the same. Not enough attention is given to the danger that cancer presents until it is far too late. Although there might be some downsides to being checked yearly, it is nothing compared to what could happen if the appointments are avoided.
