Fifth Workshop: Community!

Most of us have probably been affected by cancer, in one way or another, at some point in our lives. The Segal Cancer Center tries to make cancer a little easier to deal with by providing those who stay at the hospital with more comfortable living areas and services. Unfortunately, as Dr. Palumbo explained to us, cancer patients from the ages of 15-40 don't receive as much attention as pediatrics do and their recovery rate is not quite as high. Each patient is different. They have different needs and receive different treatments. While a trip may be beneficial to one, video games might bring a smile to the face of another.

During our workshop, we came up with some great ways to raise money for young adults in the Segal Cancer Center. No one said it would be easy to do this in just over a month, but through bake sales, sports tournaments, and bagging we might be able to fund classes, home theater rooms, extra-curricular activities, etc...

As we noticed at the beginning of the workshop through Alon and Katherine's ice-breaker activity where we had to keep the same distance between our two chosen people, a community is always changing and one person's actions and behavior really  can affect the rest. When one person moved, it created a chain reaction and everyone was forced to change positions. A community should do the same. When one member falls ill it's up to the other members to adjust their own schedules in order to help them. We are only 20 teenagers, but we've got the chance to brighten someone's day by simply taking an hour away from our routine.

It's one thing to remind ourselves how lucky we are to have healthy bodies and happy lives, but what really shows our gratitude is giving back. Dr. Palumbo is such an inspiration, having fought cancer as a child he is helping those who have it now. Using our healthy bodies, we have the chance to aid those who aren't as lucky as we are.

On a lighter note, we have successfully completed the trust circle without falling! Our whole group was basically supporting itself as if we were one. Just like in a community, when one falls the rest come tumbling right down - unless we can find the strength to hold each other up!

Speaking of community, we finally received the names of our Israeli partners! In preparation for the North American Seminar, each one of us is going to get to know one Israeli by telling them about our lives and asking them about theirs. I know I speak for all of the Montreal Dillers when I say that I'm super excited to meet them all in March!

By: Chelsea Myers-Colet