The Cancer Crusader: A True Hero

It almost seems to be a right of passage that a hero battles some sort of villain. Batman faces Joker, Spider Man tussles with Green Goblin, the Flash races Zoom, video games decimate my boredom, and The Cancer Crusader, if not already obvious by the pseudonym, fought Cancer, twice. The battles, between The Cancer Crusader and Cancer, were horrific and appeared to have no end; just as good would begin to triumph over evil the tides would shift and the heroine was knocked back down. Eventually, as in all hero movies, the battle would be won, but it would be impossible for the heroin to come from a battle of such feirce magnitude unscaved. She was left with scars on her chest and face that will remain there for life. The story, like all Disney …show more content…
Brandie Thompson, the Crusader’s mother, stated in an interview, “She was in constant pain, and never once did she ask us to feel sorry for her. She would always make sure everyone had a smile on their face, and was constantly asking if any of us ever needed anything.” Selflessness is a characteristic admired far and wide and a virtue stereotyped with most heroes or heroines. Sacrificing one's wants or specifically, in this case, placing another’s desires and conditions ahead of their own wants and personal strife, is a difficult task to accomplish and even to grasp the idea has proven to be a challenge. However, regardless of being below the age of ten, and not having much to give, she understood the concept far better than anyone else could. Brandie stated later in the interview, “she would always offer her dessert to me or one of her siblings, even though it was jello and that’s her favorite.” Even when she seemed to be knocking at death’s door she was still trying to be generous and make sure everyone was happy. Now, enduring chemotherapy, radiation, and being stabbed with countless needles, could turn any person into a heartless individual that only cares about themselves similar to the Holocaust survivors that faced disillusionment recounted in Viktor Frankl’s novel Man’s Search for Meaning. However, she …show more content…
In an interview, with the heroine, she stated, “ I just wanted to help others going through a similar struggle. We all fight a different battle and we need to keep our heads up. And as my older brother always told me there has to be a little rain before a rainbow. We just need to stick out the rain to see it.” No matter how grim the situation became, she never lost hope and always found something to look forward to. She kept faith in the future and was always able to bounce back. Her resiliency has been an inspiration to, not only her family but, others who know her. This trait above all else is what I consider to be most valuable in a heroine. The ability to inspire others to do something good is a rare attribute especially if done

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