Some things you see stay with you.

I’ve spent three plus years going to various oncology offices for treatments. Regrettably, I’ve gotten used to the appointments, the waiting rooms, the conversations, and all the emotions that come with them.

The little curly-haired girl sitting beside her mom.

But recently, I saw something I had never seen in an oncology office before.

A child.

And to me, it’s somewhere a child should never have to be.

She was a little curly-haired three possibly four-year-old sitting next to her mother.

I don’t know her story. I don’t know what brought them there. And honestly, I don’t need to know.

Her hospital band said enough, and this was an oncology office.

How It Felt

After my appointment, I contacted my therapist, my meditation coach, and a couple friends I confide in. I needed to talk this one out.

That’s how much it hurt.

Sometimes something happens that you simply can’t shake.

This was one of those moments.

Support

I already support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and I donate because I believe in what they’re doing for children and families facing childhood cancer. But seeing that little girl in my own oncologist’s office made that support feel much more personal.

It reminded me that childhood cancer isn’t an abstract problem happening somewhere else.

It’s real.

It affects children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and entire families.

And sometimes, all it takes is one moment to make that reality impossible to ignore.

Childhood cancer isn’t someone else’s problem

It’s all of our problem because it could be your daughter or son. Your little sister or brother. Even your grandchild.

Either way, they are someone’s whole world, and they deserve an entire life to live. A chance to fall in love and make mistakes.

They also deserve a chance to chase dreams and to grow old.

They deserve all the ordinary things we sometimes take for granted.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and I’m asking you to find a charity that matters to you and support it.

Donate if you can. Volunteer. Share information. Help someone who is doing the work.

Just find one that speaks to your heart—and do something

Because sometimes all it takes is one curly-haired little girl sitting beside you with her mom to remind you why caring matters.

If you’ve enjoyed what you read here, please subscribe to my email list at the bottom of the page. Consider making a small donation to help keep my website afloat at JustMeRic.

And check out my Amazon Creator Storefront. There you’ll see some of the awesome purchases I’ve made and recommend. Yes, I earn a small commission when you shop there.

You can also find all of my sites in one place on Linktree.