麻豆社

Good morning

Chris Hoy鈥檚 announcement that his cancer diagnosis is terminal has given me chance to pause and reflect this week.
Like so many, I have seen cancer close up. My oldest sister Tracey died from cancer at an age just a bit older than I am now. My mum has had cancer three times and is still bravely living with it. My father in law died before he got chance to see his grandchildren grow up. My dear friend Madhuri is starting her radiotherapy treatment today. 3 million people in the UK are living with cancer and a cancer diagnosis happens roughly every 90 seconds.
And hearing that the people affected are fit and healthy, have gold medals or are members of the Royal family is always a stark and poignant reminder that cancer really can reach anyone.
I鈥檝e always felt that Islam has a pragmatic approach and way of thinking about death and even at the time of burial, the simplicity and speed with which it is done all points to that.
The Qur鈥檃n is full of commentary about death, the reminder that we don鈥檛 have long on this earth, that every soul shall taste death, that we should live in this life as a traveller passing through and not cling on too tightly to worldly possessions. One verse of the Qur鈥檃n says 鈥渨ealth and children are beautiful decorations of this life. However, good deeds will remain with God, an excellent reward and hope鈥�.
So it鈥檚 that constant balance of course knowing that death is the one thing that we are all certain of, the thing we all have in common, the thing we need to prepare for but not be scared of. Knowing that death may be just around the corner at any time.
Whenever someone chooses to share their cancer journey publicly it raises awareness in so many ways. The importance of being checked regularly, of being aware of our bodies, not ignoring red flags, of not shying away from realities if we think we may have something wrong.
And to anyone going through cancer or watching a loved one navigating it, I hope the conversations this week can be of comfort, that you can know you鈥檙e not alone and that there is support, help and guidance out there every step of the way.
Thank you to Chris Hoy who has given me and I think so many others the reality check we need every now and again. That we must face our own mortality with pragmatism and honesty but in a way that can be positive and hopeful despite the inevitable difficult conversations that come with it.