Teen Time: Work through a cancerous subject

I want to bring up a subject that is hard to open up about, but needs to be talked about: cancer. Cancer is tricky and difficult and can bring out all sorts of emotions in people.
With cancer, or any disease, you tend to think of the worst things that could occur, instead of thinking it could be harmless. You need to discuss what could or will happen if someone you know and love has this disease. It’s scary to think about it, but it can comfort you if you express how you’re feeling.
Knowing someone who has cancer badly can affect your moods, and your emotions will run on edge. It can be hard on you. But think about how much harder it is on the person dealing with the whole process. It’s a rough patch that could be short or long, but your job is to cheer up that person and lighten the mood. Learning about the sickness can help you help them faster and more accurately.
The more you know about a disease, the more you can help someone and feel better yourself. Of course you will worry about your loved ones, but you just need to think positively. Thinking the right way can make things seem better. Releasing all the bad in your mind can work volumes for you and make the other person less stressed. It will feel like a weight being lifted from your shoulders.
You can help people by giving them a phone call, making them a card or just talking and having fun. As teens, we can get so caught up in our lives that we forget to help in someway. A creative way to help people is donating your hair to those who have lost theirs. It is a great way to help and know you helped by giving someone hair. You just need to grow your hair about 10 inches long and then go to your local hairdresser. Making that small change is making an even bigger and better change for someone else. There are many endless ways to put a smile on someone’s face. Don’t dwell on the bad, and think about the good. Things can always turn around for the best, no matter the situation.
Olivia Doherty, a seventh-grader at Scotts Valley Middle School, writes about issues facing middle school students today. Olivia can be reached through the Press-Banner by e-mailing [email protected].