November

The final design I had printed on the t shirts we’ve been wearing to races.

November, also known as Movember, is an international movement to help raise awareness for men’s health. It started in Melbourne, Australia and has become a worldwide event. It is also Stomach Cancer Awareness month.

It’s ironic how November is the month we knew my father was sick but we still didn’t have a diagnosis.

My father always hated hospitals and feared needles which is why he refused to get regular checkups. He had recently started getting regular dentist checkups and we were happy for that small change.

I’ve carried a lot of guilt this past year, that I should have pushed him more to get regular checkups. Especially since every November I would send my brothers messages reminding them to get regular checkups and take care of their health. I’d change my picture on WhatsApp to the Movember logo and I even took my boys to the Bro Run hosted by Race Area at the end of November to raise awareness.

It’s ironic that on the 30th of November last year I took my boys and my younger brother to the Bro Run in the morning and in the evening, we discovered my father was sick.

I tell myself, it isn’t my fault but deep down it hurts to think that maybe we could have prevented this.

So, I’ve decided I want to learn more about my father’s type of cancer. I want to understand the symptoms and how it can be prevented. I want to raise awareness, if I help save one life that will be enough. I hope to do more.

This November, I want to turn my pain into purpose — to honor my father by helping others take their health seriously. Awareness can save lives, and maybe that’s how healing begins.