IN my line of work, as a professional speaker and president of The Cancer Club, I am introduced to thousands of people — most of who are dealing with cancer in a variety of stages. I often joke with the people who call me personally, e-mail, or come to hear me speak. ``That is why you came (or called) — the way to feel better is to find someone worse off than you are!'' We then trade stories, mostly humourous, and go on about our day with a smile on our faces.

When I was diagnosed with cancer in 1994, I only had one objective: I wanted to live. If I lived, I knew that I desired to make some changes in my life that would give me more time with my family and friends and find work that brought meaning to my life. I have been fortunate, blessed and — yes — lucky to have found those things with The Cancer Club.

But most of all, I knew that if I lived and found meaning in my life, that I wanted to become philanthropic — to give something back to others less fortunate than I. Too often we spend too much time dwelling on our own situation. Often we cannot change our situation — I can never go back and change the fact that I had cancer. But the one thing we can change and do something about is our ``attitude'' and how we choose to deal with that ``thing'' on a go-forward basis.

I have come to realise that cancer can often bring out the best in people: the creativity and growth that is so very often experienced in cancer patients is a tribute to what we have all been through and faced. Creativity is a life-affirming experience and tells the world: ``I have faced adversity but I am not ready to give up yet''. Our world is a better place thanks to the gifts we have been given by those whose lives have been touched by cancer; poetry, art, stories and novels, plays, movies, photography, crafts and creations. So do not tell yourself ``I cannot do it''. Get going today and create something for a friend or loved one. You will both treasure it for the rest of your lives.

CHRISTINE K. CLIFFORD

The writer is founder/CEO/President of The Cancer Club. Visit her at www.cancerclub.com E-mail her at Christine@cancerclub.com