Growl Against Cancer

Cancer, such a nasty beast, the name alone makes most of us shiver in shear horror. And you would have a very hard job finding a person that do not know someone thats either a survivor, currently fighting or died of cancer.

When we are faced with the cold hard facts, we all go through the emotional rollercoaster; shock, horror, sadness, helplessness, grief, massive amount of grief, and then, at some point the anger & rage hits. This anger might fade, but it's always a close companion to helplessness.

So why on earth did this page pop up on the web? It started with Erlend aka Mr ALL posting the following via facebook;

I'm starting the campaign Growl Against Cancer by using a growling picture as my profile pic. If enough people do the same we're gonna scare this monster to the pines where the sun never shines and it shivers when the cold wind blows. Spread the word!

To add some context, Erlend got diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia back in july 2008, 4 months of chemotherapy. Just after Xmas a relapse in the spinal canal which resulted in severely weakened(permanently) vision on the left eye. More chemo, then radiotherapy of bonemarrow & brain followed by a bonemarrow transplant. Relapse after 3 months, more chemo anyone? Yep! Topped off with a DLi ( Donor Lymphocyte Infusion ) at Haukeland. Few weeks later a relapse in the spinal fluid was awarded with more chemo. During Xmas santa brought a freakish lymph gland(sp?) that was celebrated with even more chemo and just as the easter bunny had left, another relapse in the spinal fluids. Yes, you guessed it, chemo.

Now, only a few days ago(Aug 2010), he got slapped in the face again, relapse in blood & bonemarrow. Outlook is grim but there is always hope, he has started on another round of chemo. His wife Jeannie has blogged about their life after he became Mr ALL HERE

Erlend's family and my family have crossed paths since before we were born, we haven't been close friends in our adult life's, but we have met on occasions. We did meet again a year ago, not under the most cheerful circumstances, I had the pleasure of being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and had 3 rounds of chemo under my belt. We both had our bonemarrow transplants at Haukeland(hospital in Bergen), his second, my first. I blogged about my experience HERE

I utilized my anger for all it was worth, granted, I haven't re-read my blog, and I can't recall much of the year thats pasted, but my anger I vividly recall. I was quick to join Mr ALL's campaign, nothing beats a good GROWL!

So where do you come in? Apart from trying to scare the monster away and perhaps get some relief from the anger you have built up at the beast? They say laughter prolongs your life, some claim 1 laugh adds 5 minutes to your lifespan.

Cancer affects all. Age, gender, race & religion is irrelevant.

Have your camera ready, close your eyes, think of the moment you got the news, fast forward to the time the anger came over you, look towards the lens & capture the moment. Attach it to a email and send it to: post@growlagainstcancer.posterous.com