Investment in health research will pay off

Steve Farrell PHD writing a post for Cooper Aerobic Institute informs us, “It’s no secret that cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in the U.S., accounting for approximately 275,000 deaths per year. This causes not only a tremendous physical and emotional toll, but also places a significant economic burden on society. Approximately $90 billion is spent each year on the direct costs of cancer such as medication, hospital, physician, and nursing services.”

Cancer no matter the gender is a big deal and the numbers tell us the impact cancer has on our lives. Without a doubt the impact is even greater when cancer hits us personally. 

Since the Fall, Genesis 3, sin and death has ruled over our lives. Work which became harder holds back some of the impact of the fall. For example, you build a home and you are sheltered from the storm. We have learned how to better insulate our homes and in turn that help us endure Extreme cold and heat. 

The investment in discovery of the things it kills us has more than doubled our lifespan. It wasn't easy, it was hard work, it was costly and here we are. There are many things unexplored regarding our health. We have a long way to go unraveling how to repair the brain. We have a long way to go in regard to cancer. Repairing and regenerating our bodies are in the infancy of development. Most things that kill us we have no cures. Our bodies are capable of overcoming things, but most things we put into remission rather than a cure. 

What do we gain when we help those who cannot help themselves? Whether we are looking at the elderly fighting dementia, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes it is good to remember that every one of us if we live long enough will be in the same fight. What we learn today will help us tomorrow. We have to be big minded in this way.

Pictured here is an older gentleman suffering from
loneliness. Is he forgotten? It takes work to care.

What did we learn about people with multiple disabilities that cannot earn a living themselves? These things are very costly but there is an amazing benefit that comes from caring for people who cannot care for themselves. 

We learn things and treating extreme conditions bring us unexpected consequences that just may help you in a bad time in your life. What is learned in the costly care of the disabled will lead to discoveries that will help us dealing with the disabilities of aging and disease?

There is a principle found in Matthew 26 that has guided me when I helped people who are either hard to help (an idiot) or have difficult disabilities that take a lot of work. Many of these people are sweethearts, but not all of them. I always kept in mind someone was watching and it did matter. It is easy to help beautiful healthy people. But it is quite another matter when you're helping someone who for whatever reason have no way to pay you back or even to say thanks. 

Was it worth it to help them? I will be honest with you I have debated this. The principle that Jesus gave has often turn the scales for me to help. I doubt many people knew my struggle or why I went ahead and helped. But here was one of the game changers for me: 

Jesus said, ’Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

It takes hard work to defeat cancer. It is very costly, but what was the alternative. Progress is being made, there is hope. Keep walking