Saturday was our annual Hockey Fights Cancer night at the tank and it was a great success! There was purple everywhere and money being donated to great causes all night. On top of that even more awareness for numerous intense illnesses was created. The more awareness and resources we have for these diseases the better.
I've been hugely affected by cancer many times in my life, by it hitting the ones I love. Something I don't talk about much is my dad passing when I was 9 years old of brain cancer. That was really tough on me growing up. It turned me from this outgoing kid to a completely reserved person. For a very long time I was afraid to get close to anyone. As I was very close with my dad, so I just pushed everyone away. Eventually I figured out how I could handle it, but it took a really long time.
I also fight for 2 of my best friends. The first I one of my oldest friends, she was diagnosed with breast cancer about 5 years ago and after many struggles was able to pull through it. She's now been cancer free for I believe a little over 2 years. Then my other best friend, I've known this girl for a few years, and I've never met a kinder human being, or someone more willing to help anther person out there, in my life. She is seriously incredible. She's had to fight her leukemia 3 times now. She's come out on top all 3 times so far, but it always takes so much out of her. It breaks my heart knowing she has had to go through all of what she has.
So that's why I fight. My dad and some of my best friends have all been in their own fights, so the least I can do is help do my part to try to push for some advances in fighting these illness