WORLD

CANCER DAY FEBRUARY 4TH, 2023.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

WRITTEN BY TRACY MARKLEY

Carcinoma – Begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs There are different subtypes of carcinomas

Sarcoma – Begins in the connective or supportive tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscles, or blood vessels

Leukemia – This is a cancer of the white blood cells It begins in the tissues that make blood cells such as the bone marrow

Lymphoma and Myeloma – begin in the cells of the immune system

World Cancer Day was created twenty-three years ago to raise awareness of cancer It was also created to work towards decreasing cancer cases by the end of the year 2020 Most of us have known someone who has had cancer or possibly has it or has had it yourself

What is cancer? The Worldcancerday.org website shares that Cancer is a disease that occurs when changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead to uncontrolled, abnormal growth forming a lump called a tumor; this is true of all cancers except leukemia (cancer of the blood) If left untreated, tumors can grow and spread into the surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic systems, and can affect the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems or release hormones that may affect body function.

You can learn more information about each of these cancer types at www.worldcancer.org

I personally have experienced my stepdaughter and my stepfather having bone cancer My stepdaughters began in bone, but my stepfather began with prostate cancer that spread to the bone. Cancer sucks! That is a fact that everyone knows. After eight surgeries and chemotherapy, my stepdaughter survived her cancer at age 12. My stepfather, unfortunately, did not survive his. It was spread too far, and he was 80 years old. Now my mother has pancreatic cancer that has spread to her liver.

How can you help support the fight against cancer?

All throughout the year in most countries there are fundraisers, 5ks, 10ks, marathons, special events, and websites that help raise money for specific cancer Many people support the type of cancer that they have had or someone they know has or has had, or lost their life to

You can find the foundations and organizations of specific cancers online You will find many ways to donate time, and money, or go to or create your own event to help

How can you help someone who has cancer?

Always show you care and continue to reach out Offer or just bring them groceries and or make meals to bring over to their home if they are home When you tell them “Call me if you need anything.”, truly mean it. Just being there is wonderful. Often people avoid and or limit their time visiting or reaching out to someone they know with a disease or cancer because they are uncomfortable and don’t know what to say or do. It is common not to know the best words to say, but don’t let the person struggling with cancer get lonely and left alone a lot. People need care and support.

I personally have experienced my stepdaughter and my stepfather having bone cancer My stepdaughters began in bone, but my stepfather's began as prostate cancer that spread to the bone Cancer sucks! That is a fact that everyone knows After eight surgeries and chemotherapy, my stepdaughter survived her cancer at age 12

My stepfather, unfortunately, did not survive his It was spread too far, and he was 80 years old Now my mother has pancreatic cancer that has spread to her liver

I am my mother’s full-time caregiver. Most nights we are both up. There are nights when we have been up five times. We both are tired and taking one day at a time.

As a fitness professional, I often get new clients who hire me to help them get healthy and lose weight after spending months or even years being a caregiver to a parent or spouse. I always have tried to have a strong understanding of their position and understand that the struggle is real and not to judge them for not having taken care of themselves better through a hard time I understand it even more as I am helping my mother

People who have cancer and their caregivers have a lot on their plate Cancer affects people mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually

Reach out to show you care

It will mean the world to them and help them not to feel alone www.tracymarkley.com www.amazon.com/author/tracymarkley www.instagram.com/motivate_healthyfit www.facebook.com/tracyfitt https://twitter.com/TracylMarkley www.tracys-healthy-365.blogspot.com www.linkedin.com/in/tracymarkleyfit

Tracy Markley is the owner of Tracy's Personal Training, Pilates & Yoga Studio. She is the author of 11 books. Her work is known for training stroke survivors. She is the 2021 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year. She also created the CEC course "Stroke Recovery Training" for the fitness industry.

Tracy was one of the IDEA 2020 Personal Trainer of the Year Finalists. She is recognized for her work, books, and for helping stroke survivors worldwide. She is an NFHOF Pro (National Fitness Hall of Fame) Recognized as one of "Today's Top Trainers" in 2019. She believes “Knowledge is Power” and has earned many certifications in the fitness industry.