Arianna Merritt, M.Ed.

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The Will To Survive: Why I Wear My LIVESTRONG Bracelet

Arianna Merritt

Thank you to those who are going to share your stories in upcoming posts! I’m excited to hear what you have to say! While I was in Hawaii, someone came to me and asked me about the LIVESTRONG bracelet on my wrist. They thought I had cancer.  I responded, “I luckily haven’t had it, but have had a few scares.”  I burned myself really badly in the sun one year and had a few odd-looking moles. However, I wear the bracelet because I have many people in my life who have either beaten cancer, are currently battling it, or have been beaten by it.

I had been wearing my bracelet proudly for many years, then it broke; recently, I bought a new one. I wear my LIVESTRONG bracelet proudly, as it represents a battle that many individuals in our society are dealing with.  Cancer doesn’t only affect the person who has the disease, but everyone in that individual’s life. When I think of perserverance, anyone battling cancer comes to mind.

Check out the video about what the LIVESTRONG bracelet represents to show you why I wear my bracelet.

When I wear the LIVESTRONG bracelet, it reminds me to persist in any difficult circumstance; others have fought or are currently fighting for their lives. It also reminds me to value and take care of my body.

I wear my bracelet in memory of:

  • My grade 5 teacher who developed lung cancer from second-hand smoke in the environment she was living in (and she never smoked a day in her life).  She passed away when I was in 6th grade.
  • My elementary school principal, who was one of the nicest men, developed cancer and passed away when I was in grade four.
  • Friends’ parents who have passed away from cancer.
  • My cat who, this past June, passed away from a huge tumour in her stomach.
  • My friend, Lisa Simpson Brewster passed away Breast Cancer. 

I wear my bracelet for the survivors currently battling the disease:

  • Both my grandmothers have battled cancer (ovarian and skin cancer, respectively) and survived.
  • A friend in high school who developed lymphoma. She has been cancer free for ten years.

Check out this beautiful song by Megan McNeil, who lost her battle to cancer last year. I shared her story on my blog back in March and have to post the video again.  RIP Megan.

 

Remember:

The LIVESTRONG bracelet reminds me to take care of my own body, as cancer can happen to anyone.  The following message about overcoming cancer is an important one; it shows us to persevere and keep fighting no matter what obstacle we may face.

Thank you for reading and your presence at this beach retreat. You Rock! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section below.

See you at the beach!

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