South Carolina Injury Law Journal - Anderson and Greenville Lawyer & Attorney Workers' Compensation Cases, Product Liability Lawsuits, and Accidents

Now-a-days people always talk about everyone being a winner and I am not someone that subscribes to that theory. In competition, not everyone can be a winner. However, participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society South Carolina Man & Woman of the Year Fundraiser may be a more appropriate time to indicate everyone as winners.

There were five contestants, two females and three males, vying for the title but more importantly they were doing so by raising money for the fight against blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The South Carolina Boy of the Year was Josey Hale. The South Carolina Girl of the Year was Nadia Morris-Young.

The turning point in all this was realizing close to 15 years ago, I was a patient that was recognized to give a face to the fundraising and physical efforts to a Team in Training as they prepared for a marathon.

As I talked with Josey and Nadia last night, it struck me how many blessings I had been given to be healthy and in a position to help an organization that assists so many. It's nice to be reminded of the wonderful opportunities every day brings.

The opportunity to see life come full circle from patient to Man of the Year was amazing. No doubt a wonderful reminder of God's grace, glory, and presence. I certainly felt a momentary shudder as I had a sense that my Mom was looking down on me, as well as, a good friend that lost her battle with cancer as we were going through the trenches together.  Peace be with you.......

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The week of April 5-11, 2009 has been recognized nationwide as Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. This is important on so many levels but more importantly for myself and my family, because we recognize it every day.

I was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 17 and given a very poor prognosis (I'm going on 31 now and "Living the Dream".)  I have watched my mother die a slow and painful death with lung cancer, in my mid 20's. My family has currently been hit again with my Uncle's diagnosis of cancer. This illness has no eyes to see color, sex, or economic background. It simple invades our lives and affects each and everyone of us in some direct or indirect manner. Live the dream every day because no one is promised tomorrow, regardless of their situation.

Earth Times reported:

Nearly 70,000 young adults in their 20s and 30s are diagnosed with cancer each year and it is the leading disease killer among 20 to 39 year olds. Young adults with cancer have had less survival improvement than other age groups and strides made in cancer treatment have bypassed young adults, who also have the lowest participation rate in clinical trials of any age group.

Vital Options International has provided a plethora of resources and information through their website to better educate and bring together the cancer community. They have a wonderful collection of videos and trendier marketing materials for young adult cancer survivors.

Planet Cancer is another wonderful resource for young cancer survivors. These websites take the edge off being diagnosed or dealing with cancer.  Take it from someone that knows, truly knows.

If you want to support your local cancer groups please donate your time, money, or resources to any of the following:

• Cancer Association of Anderson
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• American Cancer Society in South Carolina

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As printed in the "Anderson Independent" on February 8, 2009:

Floyd S. “Trey” Mills III of the Trammell Law Firm was awarded Star of the Quarter recognition by the South Carolina Bar for his efforts in assisting the Young Lawyers Division with a fundraiser for Children’s Chance.

Children’s Chance is an organization established to raise money to fund a variety of programs to meet the financial, emotional and psychological needs of pediatric cancer patients and their families.

The fundraiser took place Nov. 29 in Clemson before the Clemson/Carolina football game as a networking and tailgating event for the Young Lawyers Division. All donations went to Children’s Chance.

Mills suffered from leukemia as a teen and also lost his mother to the disease. For more information on Children’s Chance or to make a donation, visit childrenschance.org or contact the organization at 609 Sims Ave., 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29205.

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