For once in my life, I don’t have some obscure cause that I must rant and rave about. So, I’ve decided to take the time to write about a giant cause that everyone knows about: Cancer. Most of you probably know that Breast Cancer Awareness month was back in October as many things were done to raise awareness. I had originally intended to whine about how breast cancer is overexposed compared to other important cancers like lung or mouth, but things happen and opinions change.

Recently, my grandmother had a lump of cancerous breast removed. She previously had breast cancer but had been in remission since 2004. It kind of slapped me in the face that my unintentional cold attitude towards breast cancer was a total jerk move. For people who’ve never known someone close to them with cancer, when you find out it’s sort of mind-numbing. You don’t really think it’s a big deal because, okay, there’s chemo and medication. But when you’ve been in this nice safety zone (known as "cancer-free") for about seven years, relapsing is the scariest thing imaginable.

My grandfather has been in remission for 11 years from prostate cancer. I wasn’t around when he was originally diagnosed but, when I found out last year, it kind of broke the safety bubble on my family. People are often under this false impression that nothing bad can happen to them. It’s not just about cancer; it’s about other awful things such as violence, rape, even murder. I mean, the things you see on the news couldn’t possible apply to your life, right? Wrong – look at that town Disney built; they just experienced their first murder and they’re acting like because Disney blueprinted their town they couldn’t possibly have crimes. We think we’re safe from bad things, but we’re not. Cancer happens and sometimes it comes back. Sometimes we can’t do anything to prevent it, and I’m lucky that both of my grandparents are fine. Knowing people who have had cancer, especially people you love and care for, changes your perspective.

I know it’s a little cheesy and seems irrelevant to your life but whatever. This is my column, not yours. Cancer doesn’t have to be some Hallmark made-for-TV movie, but it doesn’t have to be some wristband calling my breasts "ta-tas" either. Do what you can to help, whether it be by buying pink things, donating money, or even just supporting awareness via your Facebook status.