AMISRAEL PUERTO RICO JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

Cancer has been the most feared of enemies throughout history, and even today it displays its strength. Until the middle of last century there was no army or weapon against it. Even anchient time physicians, such as Hippocrates and Galen, are said to have had interest in learning more about the disease.

However, a new kind of army has been formed in the battle against cancer: volunteerism. Providing assistance to those suffering from cancer helps in their recovery and offers them a better quality of life. Not only that: it is also a positive experience, with benefits to the volunteer in different areas, such as cognitive, civic, ethical professionals, personal and social.

For these reasons, Amisrael called upon the agents of peace in Puerto Rico to join the American Cancer Society, in order to collaborate and help disseminate information about cancer, provide preventive care and, in turn, raise funds for research about the disease.

Relay for Life

Relay for Life is an activity that involves the whole community in order to celebrate together with the cancer survivors. It also represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten. The American Cancer Society has been doing this with great success since 1985. In the Relay for Life teams composed of members of institutions or organizations and cancer survivor take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times for 24 hours.

In Cayey, Puerto Rico, the activity took place from 12:00 p.m. on Saturday (April 4) until 12:00 p.m. the next day. Because of the importance of the act, the local and international board of AMISRAEL was present, along with hundreds of agents of peace.

Cancer survivors were invited to a reflection by Mr. Soto:

Today you are called survivors because you have managed to overcome a big hurdle. But surviving and to living are very different experiences. It's time to take control of your destiny. It is time to write your own story and leave the role of mere spectators.

The ability to choose is what differentiates us from other living beings. That's why life is not just a beating heart and breathing lungs. That does not make us different from animals. (What makes us unique is that) we have within us the power to repair the world, to transform, to recreate.

Amisrael has joined all those survivors and volunteers to celebrate life, remember those who were defeated by cancer and struggle to provide better conditions of survival for the victims.

Act of lighting

At 8 pm, all the lights were switched off and the whole place was lit by small candles scattered throughout the track. This was the moment of arrival of the torch, brought by the marathon runners coming from Aibonito. The torch represents the flame in the soul of all who love and fight for life.

The Caregiver Ceremony

When cancer enters a home, not only the patient suffers a change in his life, but also family members and close friends. The different stages of treatment are followed by anxiety, uncertainty and fear. It is then that a very important actor comes into play. It is not the patient (although he is the protagonist), it is not the doctors or the other health professionals. It is the caregiver.

In general, the caregiver is a relative, but not always. This angel, as he or she is called by patients, is involved with the sick person in a way that often leaves his job, changes his/her dynamic of life and gives up his/her private life to provide support and care to the loved one, who needs his/her support in this particular time.

The ceremony of the caregiver is a tribute to the supportive and loving people, mostly anonymous, but who leave their mark on the lives of others.

Recognition

The motivation, the energy and the spirit of solidarity of the Agents of Peace were recognized by the organizers. They received first prizes in musical and artistic talent, motivated team, booth decorations, educational content to the audience and Samba school parade, among others, after 24 hours of relay.

It is very important to understand that the sentinel node is more likely to be the first one to catch the cancer if it has spread in its entirety to the lymph nodes.

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is usually done during surgery to remove cancer.

The result of the sentinel node biopsy determines if you need to remove additional lymph nodes. This may also help determine the severity of their cancer.

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