I have to tell you all about my cancer lecture.

[teresag]

Every term, I lecture on cancer to my junior nursing students. Last term, I tried something new. I added a discussion on why lung cancer was not as "popular" as breast and prostate cancer. First, I asked them how many had heard of Komen & Race for the Cure - and of course everyone had. I asked how many had heard of ALCASE. No one. Then I asked them why, given that more people die of lung cancer. The students are very bright - this term and last, they said it was because people are blamed for having lung cancer.

I ended the lecture talking about my Dad, a long-time smoker, addicted to tobacco long before society became anti-smoking. I told them that the military gave cigarettes to our troops; in fact, required that a pack be in their foot lockers at inspection. I amazed them, saying that when I first started nursing, people smoked in the coronary care unit! Then I dedicated the lecture to my father and showed his picture. I always get a bit choked up here, but the students are so WONDERFUL! They thanked me for sharing this personal information. This term, I brought along a bagful of lung cancer pins, and EVERY STUDENT TOOK ONE! I thought I would run out.

Disclosing personal information, especially when it gets you all choked up, is risky in the classroom, but I'm SO glad I did it. And what a caring group of people these nursing students proved themselves to be!

[gail]

Thank you for doing that. We all need to educate everyone. That is why the Komen Foundation became so strong. It allowed people to come out of the closet with their own cancers. And I think that is what we are doing here.

gail

[dadstimeon]

Very nice Teresa. Rich

[Guest bean_si (Not Active)]

You made a difference. YES! Yea Theresa!

Cat

[JaneC]

Teresa,

Way to go!! You are making a difference!!

Jane

[Melinda]

Thank you, Teresa.

A one teacher to another--thank you for taking advantage of a "teachable moment".

Melinda