Elizabeth Edwards: Live Until You Die

[waiting for hope]

Susan Sawyers
05.09.2007 The Huffington Post

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Presidential candidate John Edwards, got my fearless vote when she took the stage in Washington, DC last week, on behalf of the National Coalition For Cancer Survivorship (NCCS). Her message was clear: "Live until you die." And why not? And who better than a cancer survivor whose cancer has come back to say so?

Clearly, Mrs. Edwards is a woman with a mission. Having been introduced to a set of adolescent sisters who reluctantly shook hands with the candidate's wife early in the evening only to be reintroduced later with their names transposed, Mrs. Edwards pointed toward each of the young ladies, without really pointing, and said "but you're Ruthie and you're Julia." Talk about charm and grace under fire.

~Snip~

Surprisingly enough, Mrs. Edwards wasn't on hand to receive an award. Instead, she granted one to four fearless women, Patti Balwanz, Kim Carlos, Jennifer Johnson, and Jana Peters, the authors of the recently published book Nordies at Noon. Their story is "an inspiring and honest testament to their friendship and experience" with cancer diagnosis and treatment, said Mrs. Edwards. She encouraged all women to be proactive about their own health and to advocate for quality medical care for all Americans. Accepting the award were Kim Carlos and Jennifer Johnson joined by Patti Balwanz's brother and Jana Peters' husband. Sadly, co-authors, Balwanz died in 2003 at the age of 29 and Jana Peters passed away in December 2006 when she was 35.

Kim Carlos and Jennifer Johnson told the audience that cancer is "a health issue, a family issue and a political issue." While these women are the prototypical example of making every day, indeed every moment, count in our cherished lives; they encouraged us to use our voices to increase awareness of cancer survivorship issues and programs, to fund cancer research, and to encourage Congress to increase, not decrease, necessary funding to all of the above.

Just like Mrs. Edwards, my fearless award winner, it is clear that none of these survivors live their lives either defined or consumed by cancer. No doubt, their lives have changed since their cancer diagnosis. However, they continue to "not only survive but they thrive." We should all be so lucky.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-sawyers/elizabeth-edwards-live-u_b_48037.html



This extraordinary woman personifies grace, humility and dignity. I would be one proud American to see her as First Lady, and, but of course, with husband John by her side. :)

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[NNadir]

1. Or live after you die.

Those who live courageous lives will be remembered.

[StarryNite]

2. Elizabeth Edwards is an inspiration.

:loveya:

[Botany]

3. I just looked up the word "class"

And this picture popped up;

[waiting for hope]

6. And what a wonderful image

it is! O8)

[Botany]

8. I am so on the Edwards' bandwagon

He is what this country needs.

[Colobo]

4. Great woman indeed! Best wishes for her!

[pstans]

5. Strong Convictions

is exactly what we need in the White House.

[Cha]

7. So many inspiring people

who are progressive patriots and Elizabeth Edwards is at the top of my list!

I don't care if Edwards is 3rd or whatever..America needs their message and I'm so happy they are in the race!

[waiting for hope]

9. I have a very strong feeling

he will get the nomination and win the election. Edwards message on so many levels speaks for me as I know he speaks for many Americans who are tired of the "spin" politics and pandering. I truly believe he will set out to accomplish what he has promised, Elizabeth believes that too and I know she's an intelligent and intuitive woman.

[Cha]

12. That would be great

in my book.

[GainesT1958]

10. What Elizabeth Edwards is trying to say, I'm convinced...

Is that it it is all about intent: if you put the intent out to the universe that you want to live, and are determined not to let a disease overrtake you, then it won't--not matter what treatments you are or are not taking for it.

That is, obviously, her intent; and so far it is working very well. It must also be the intent of those brave ladies to whom she presented the awards. It is about the intent to have a strong quality of life, however much of it is left. And I'm convinced that such an intent will, indeed, provide more quantity of life for them, as well.

If John Edwards does, indeed, make it to the White House, I've no doubt that Elizabeth will enter it with him--and likely be there with him when his time there is over.

B-)

[waiting for hope]

13. They are an awesome

couple...they both have given inspiration and are unselfishly giving back to the community. She is truly beloved and I seriously doubt we will see any "Stepford" or "Joker" pictures of her!

[ourbluenation]

11. do we love this woman or do we LOVE this woman??? So inspirational.

[Sapphire Blue]

14. I want to K&R this thread 500 times!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Sapphire Blue]

16. Error: You've already recommended that thread.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[waiting for hope]

17. Thanks SB!!!!!!!!

I just love that bounce!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: !!!! :hi:

[Sapphire Blue]

21. What's wrong here? I got this again - Error: You've already recommended that thread.

;) Well, I can :kick: it as much as I want!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Vadem]

15. Just look how beautiful she is! OMG I love her, love her, love her...

I'm praying for her to be in the best of health for the rest of her life!

[ultraist]

18. K&R!

Everybody loves Elizabeth!

:kick:

[Hidden Stillness]

19. Similar to Johnny Gunther Line

This sounds like one of my favorite quotes, said by the teenage son of a writer during the 1940s named John Gunther. The kid, Johnny, was dying of cancer, loved to read, and loved to think up aphorisms and even prayers, although an agnostic. This was all beautifully told in Gunther's book after Johnny had died, "Death Be Not Proud," a best-seller that became a great TV movie around 1975 or so. The thing that Johnny Gunther thought up was, "Live while you live, and die and be done with it." Brave, and wonderful--if you can do it.

[Madspirit]

20. k&r...n/t

[Blackhatjack]

22. You can choose to live, or choose to begin dying... those are your options after a cancer diagnosis

She is a shining example of the first option.

[caligirl]

23. got in for my yearly exam after missing it for 3 years, they thought

I had two gyn problems but I had one and a benign tumor of the appendix found by accident. Had it ruptured i would have been seriously regretting the three year lapse. Its out now.

I really had a scare there until i knew it was benign and really regretted ignoring my health in that way for the three years. felt like I didn't really look out for my family by doing so.

[waiting for hope]

24. Hope you are doing okay now...

Cancer research should really be a top priority - did you see any of Ted Koppel's docu on living with cancer? Pretty powerful stuff.

[caligirl]

25. Yes, I saw the one he just did with his friend, or a part of it anyway.