The Cure

I have several friends currently fighting cancer and it is such an inspiration. Their positivity. Their gratitude. And hope. I am feeling a gift from each of them. I’ll give you an example: one person is in Chicago and spending his time counseling other people – he says the more he thinks about them, the less he worries about himself. His resolve seems to increase with his ability to focus on others in the present. Resuming life’s tasks is another inspiration I have been fortunate to witness.

Studies on post-traumatic growth show survivors often report deeper appreciation for life, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of purpose—sometimes rating their overall well-being higher than before diagnosis.

It’s not that the threat vanishes; it’s that priorities crystallize. Everyday moments gain weight. Gratitude isn’t forced—it’s earned through recalibration. “Enjoy every day without worrying about the next.”

Or as Stanford’s Cancer Supportive Care puts it “The threat of death often renews our appreciation of the importance of life.”

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