C is for Cancer

"I am a survivor."

Those are the words that my grandmother is very proud to say. In 2002, she was diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer. Cancer is the second most deadly disease, which is why my grandmother was shocked to hear that she had cancer. She suspected that the cause of her cancer was a medicine her doctor had been giving her, but scientists later discovered that it caused cancer.

Cancer is a terrible disease that anyone could get at any age. There are lots of different types of cancers like breast cancer, brain cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, and many others. 39% of women and 44% of men in Canada can develop cancer throughout their lives, and many of them die from it. 1 out of 8 women are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Clearly, cancer is more common than you think, and anyone, healthy or not, could get it.

You have many cells in your body, and they are all ordered to grow, work, reproduce or die. But when these orders get mixed up, the cells spread through the bloodstream and attack nearby tissue and other body parts. This causes cancer, depending on which body part it attacks. In my grandmother's case, the cells spread through to her breast and ovaries. The cancer cells were the size of a tennis ball, and it was incredible that she survived.

Here are some ways to help prevent cancer:

• never smoke or second-hand smoke

• eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet

• eat lots of fruits and vegetables

• exercise regularly

• reduce your sun exposure and always wear sunscreen

I am very proud to call my grandmother a survivor. I know it would have been a very scary time for her, but she made it through with bravery.

LIFE LESSON: Cancer is a common and deadly disease. So don’t complain about putting on sunscreen, it may save your life.

B is for Blankie

I hold on tight to the beat up blanket, letting all my fear go away. I stroke its soft material, trying to get the terrible image out of my head. Tighter and tighter I squeeze it. I struggle to find the one spot on it, ribbon, and then I find it. A smile creeps onto my face and I am relieved. I don't know what I would do without it. It is more special than anyone could have imagined.

Blankie has been the most special thing in my life, and still is. As you may have guessed, Blankie is a blanket. I sleep with her every night and I go everywhere with her. She is made of white flannel material with a pattern of colourful teddy bears and polka dots. Blankie is bordered with soft blue silk ribbon, which is my favourite part about her. She always makes me feel better when I'm sad and she helps me get through hard times, like if I'm sick. She may be ripped and torn, but Blankie is more than just a blanket to me, Blankie is like a best friend. She's always there when I need her. The good thing about her is that she will last forever.

Before I was born, my great grandmother, Nonnie, sewed a blanket for my brother when he was very little. But my brother, Ken, did not sleep with it that much. So when I was born, my brother gave me the blanket, and I have loved it ever since. Over the years, I have brought Blankie with me everywhere, so as you can imagine, she has gotton very torn and ripped. In school, I always brought her in for show and tell because she is so special, and she is a part of me. But no one understands the real importance of her. She is special to me in so many ways.

A little while ago, I went into an Abercrombie store, and I saw a t-shirt that was really pretty, but also very soft. Then I had the idea of replacing Blankie with this t-shirt. I didn't want to have Blankie get more ruined because she could have fallen apart any day. I bought the t-shirt which was pink and made it more like Blankie. I sewed on ribbon onto the t-shirt, and I sewed some more ribbon onto the bottom of the shirt. I named the shirt Peachy, because the colour is a little bit peach coloured. I put Blankie away into the closet, so she wouldn't get ripped any more. Now, I sleep with Peachy, and sometimes, I even wear Peachy. But every once in a while, I need a little more cheering up from Blankie, so I take Blankie out of the closet and stroke her soft material.

Blankie is very special to me, although she may not seem that special to others. She is a part of me, and nothing will seperate me from her. She is my best friend that will be with me forever.

LIFE LESSON: Everyone has something special. Others may not know the importance of it, but that doesn't mean it is not important.

M is for Marguerite

We can't let go of each other as I make my way to a new home, Canada. I hold on tight to her, not wanting to let go. The time came when we had to say goodbye. I couldn't believe that I was actually leaving her. With tears in my eyes, I get into the car, ready to make a new start. I wonder if I will make new friends in Canada, but I know none will be as special as her.

Marguerite is my best friend. We have been best friends for seven years now, and we are inseparable. I think it is fate that brought us together because we are very similar. Her birthday is September 8th, mine is September 25th. Her middle name is Christina, so is mine. We both love pink and Hello Kitty. Although we may look different on the outside, we are the same on the inside.

We met in preschool, but I can't exactly remember how. I just know we became friends soon after the year began. My favourite memory of us was when we went to see a Christmas show when we were younger. We had a great time and when it was finished, we took a great picture of us sitting together on a bench in the theatre. Now I have it framed in my room, and it is the most special picture I have. I don't want anything to happen to it.

Every summer, I go to Ohio to visit some old friends, including her. I always have a sleepover at her house, and it's always so much fun. I always look forward to the summer so I can see my best friend. We watch movies, and go out to dinner, and do all kinds of fun stuff. I can't wait to see her next summer.

Marguerite and I still keep in touch through email and letters. She's always there for me when I need to talk to someone. She is nice and funny, and my best friend. She is a special friend I will never forget.

LIFE LESSON: Your friends are always there for you, no matter where they are in the world.