By Arielle Golden

 A Golden Opportunity

                                                          Most would view my father’s illness as a death sentence; a situation completely out of his/her control which 
                                      will eventually lead to an untimely and unfortunate end. I will admit there are many times where I’ve felt hopeless,
                                      miserable, resigned, and forced to accept that my father may not be there to watch me grow, graduate,
                                      or walk down the aisle. There may be a day when I need him to lean on for support and he may
                                      not be there with open arms and words of comfort. It can be downright depressing
                                      and sometimes I allow myself to think that way.

                                            Although some days that is how I view my father’s illness, most days I see it as quite the opposite.
                                        It may seem insane, but in a way I view the cancer as a blessing. In order to understand these feelings
                                        we’d have to take a look back to his pre-cancer days.         

                                            Back then my dad was the old-fashioned father figure. He busted his ass working second and
                                        third shift to raise money to support his family. He was the enforcer of rules and the mediator of
                                        fights, but he was never around. Fights were solved over the phone while he was on break.
                                        When one of us kids acted up, our mother threatened to call him. That usually got us to behave.
                                        We’d see him on weekends, but he was usually too tired to do much. 

                                            After my father was diagnosed with cancer all of this changed. At this point, it was just
                                        the two of us living together. Unable to work because of his cancer diagnosis, he was
                                        suddenly around a lot more. He became an ever-present facet in my life. He was my caretaker
                                        and my rock. He as a person changed completely. I believe his diagnosis evoked such a strong
                                        appreciation for life, a constant upbeat attitude, and an incredible insight into what is truly  important 
                                        in life. It is this newly acquired understanding and positive outlook on life that is one of the major
                                        contributing factors as to why nearly three years later (when originally given 18 months to live) he
                                        is still very much alive. He is my hero and a symbol of hope. He is proof that with a positive attitude
                                        man can accomplish feats originally deemed impossible. It is people like him who have the ability to
                                        truly make a difference.       

                                            My father’s way of viewing life has rubbed off on me and with our new outlook my father
                                       and I are positive this disease can be beaten. Unfortunately modern medicine offers no cure or
                                       even temporary relief of symptoms. Integrative technology is the only idea that seems plausible.
                                       When you really break down what modern medicine has to offer cancer patients it is angering and
                                       appalling. Doctors flood cancer patients body with a chemotherapy drug which is nothing more
                                       then a chemical designed not only to wipe out cancer cells, but destroy the rest of the body as well.
                                       If we can put a man on the moon, I know there is better way to go about getting rid of cancer cells
                                       (which in fact are very weak cells). This integrative treatment my father is seeking is that better way.
                                       This treatment is nothing extravagant, or exciting. It is simply the most sensible option.

                                            With your help we can overcome my father’s illness, death sentence, or as I like to see it:
                                        his Golden Opportunity. My father’s life is valuable because if blessed with a long and healthy life
                                        I know he will make every moment count and he will work to change this world in which we live
                                        in by enlightening people with knowledge. He will spark a new and better way of viewing “modern”
                                        medicine and cancer treatments, benefitting the lives of everyone in the future. 

            
Help us seize this “Golden Opportunity”.     Thank you!    Arielle.