To be honest, this isn't an easy question at all, and I must say that it got me into a deep thought: if peradventure a cure for cancer, which happens to be one of the deadliest diseases that plague humans, were to be found in my gene, would I be willing to be a sacrificial lamb? While I could have easily picked a side, the catch is that such won't be a quick fix or something that can be easily replicated, meaning I'll have to be a lab rat that's constantly being experimented on by doctors, which means I'll constantly have to be poked and prodded for the rest of my life all in the name of science and the search for the cure in me. Would I be willing to go through that?
The truth is that, assuming such examination and procedure would be done once, I would have easily obliged to give myself up for such a test even if it cost me my life, but then the human part of me knows how it feels to be in pain, fear, and discomfort, which also values peace; it might make me want to say no, especially when knowing full well that my life can no longer be my own, nor can I have privacy since I'll constantly be an experimental subject for the medical staff. That's an endless visiting to the hospital and procedures that could go on to weigh me down and even affect the body in the long run due to multiple tears and stitches.
However, as someone who knows what it takes to crave good health, I'll surely think about the number of people cancer has snatched away from their lives and left their families, including children, spouses, and parents, in dismay. I'll also think about the emotional trauma that follows patients who go through chemotherapy, not forgetting the financial burden. All of these would make me want to help, especially knowing full well that my existence can bring an end to their suffering and prevent others from going through the same. I'd be selfish if I were to hold back and not give myself up for such a groundbreaking solution in the medical world.
One of the easiest things to say is, Let someone else do it. Why not you? So what if I'm that someone else that fate has chosen to possess the healing balm in my gene? I see this as an opportunity to live an impactful life, not just like many who come to the world and die without having an impact. Sacrificing myself for the greater good health-wise for humanity, I believe, would give life meaning, especially with the knowledge that generations to come after me would stand a chance to live life to the fullest in good health because of my decision to stand in the gap for humanity.
Giving myself up for this course would be possible if and only if pharmaceutical giants and big corporations won't see my sacrifice as an opportunity to exploit the general public for profit, meaning I'll only sacrifice myself if I'm given the assurance that the treatment for cancer would be made free for all regardless of their status quo in the society. I don't want to be another tragic story in the hands of this greedy organization. So everything should be done with dignity, comfort, andd my well-being in mind. If all of these are assured, then I'll definitely say yes, although if I have to be alive for all of these procedures through the years, I'd prefer if I'm placed under an induced coma so I won't have to watch my life pass by without having to live it the way I want.
So, like I said, I'm definitely going to say yes, as I see it as an opportunity for me to be the light that shines bright into the darkness the plague of cancer has placed humanity under. I'm giving in because I want to be the reason a mother could live to watch her children grow, or a child lives to chase after their dreams. Overall, I'll want to be known for my sacrifice and not just forgotten like I did nothing, heroes deserve to be treated with respect while they're with us and when they're long gone.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.