Greetings to all who may read this,
My family has been plagued with cancer of various types back as far as the genealogy can trace - lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer - the list goes on. Many of my family members have been fortunate enough to have survived bouts with this deadly disease and in many ways it has shaped our relationships, both positively and negatively. My grandmother, grandfather, and two of my uncles have all battled cancer in my lifetime and I suppose I should be prepared for the possibility of facing the proverbial dragon myself one day!
In January 2006, my uncle succumbed to Cancer three months after being diagnosed with a tumor the size of a fist in his lung. As anyone who has gone through it before can testify, there's a certain sense of disbelief that hangs in the air when the verdict comes down. My uncle was like a father and was a crucial part of my life growing up and losing him has been very, very hard for me and the rest of my family. Always lighthearted, full of life, and willing to give of himself, my uncle was an exceptional man and an inspiration to many- I still think back to all the instrumental times that he played in my youth, but his passing has shaped me almost as much if not more. Sadly, my grandmother and my uncle passed away only weeks apart (my grandmother of natural causes), and it prompted me to take on a new challenge which has defined my life for the last 3 years. Since then I've done a fair amount of research into cancer, its causes, and new prospect for treatment and I'm confident that the tools we need to effectively eliminate cancer are on the horizon. I graduate this spring with a Bachelor's degree in Science and I have an interview in a few weeks for acceptance into the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba! I'm looking forward to an opportunity to help people in much the same way that my family has been helped over the years by those in the medical profession, but I'm also excited to get involved in crucial research which may help to see the elimination of this disease within my lifetime.
Some people have labeled me an optimist but I take that as a compliment- it can be hard to be an optimist when you or your families life has been touched by cancer. To all of those out there who've lost someone who means the world to them, or know someone who's battling a devastating illness; keep your chin up, and let their resilience and courage be an inspiration to you. I've learned well that life is ours to do with as we see fit, and time is always against us - but my advice is to live each day to its fullest and enjoy the gift you've been given
In memory of my uncle, the J. Michael Waldram memorial fellowship program has been set up to encourage aboriginal youth to get involved in post-secondary education in natural resource management. For more information, please see http://www.cif-ifc.org/site/jmwf
Thanks for the opportunity to share my Story. Above is a picture of my uncle Mike Waldram
Brady Murphy
Together We Ride............... along with Brady, his family and Mike Waldram
