Amy Wydner, Junior
World Rose Day, a day reserved to bring happiness to people around the world battling cancer, is just around the corner and the Coronavirus won’t stop it.
Every year on September 22, World Rose Day is celebrated in memory of Melinda Rose Hathaway, a girl who died from a rare type of cancer. It is also meant to bring awareness to cancer and cheer up those struggling with it. On the date, people around the world will make handmade roses, cards, and gifts for those battling cancer.
Melinda Rose was diagnosed with Askin’s Tumor, a rare form of blood cancer, in February 1994 when she was only 12-years-old. She lived on for over three more years with cancer and before she died, she and her family created a website for other children dealing with cancer. She lived in Canada, was an “A” student, had many friends, served in her church, and was involved with many different activities at school. She used the internet to connect with other children going through similar hard times, writing them emails, poems, and letters.
Although Melinda Rose was only 12 when diagnosed, she lived her last days with a positive mindset and tried to bring joy into cancer patients’ lives. September 22nd is a day when people can strive to be more like Melinda by giving gestures, small or large, to show family, friends, and people in general with cancer love and make them happy during hard times.
In 2018 alone, there were an estimated 1.7 million new cases of cancer being diagnosed in the United States; 609,640 of those dying from the disease. In 2017, there were an estimated 15,270 children and adolescents between the ages of 0 and 9 were diagnosed with cancer, with 1,790 having died. Many people, at one time or another, have had a friend or relative who has either battled a type of cancer or died from cancer. It affects millions of people every day, and it needs to be made aware for a solution to be found. In New Delhi, India, roses are a symbol of love, tenderness and concern. They celebrate World Rose Day by holding organized gatherings.
Even in the midst of a pandemic, one can still give to those battling cancer by making handmade roses, cards, and gifts to show them love and hope in uncertain times. Even reaching out to those people by email or letters like Melinda Rose had, can be an unique and thoughtful way to celebrate World Rose Day.
Works Cited
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Why Do We Observe World Rose Day On September 22.” Sakshi Post, 2019, english.sakshi.com/wellness/2019/09/22/why-do-we-observe-world-rose-day-on-september-22.
Anonymous, Anonymous. “Cancer Statistics.” National Cancer Institute, 2018, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics.
N/A, Molly. “Melinda Rose Hathaway.” My Hero, 2013, https://myhero.com/M_Hathaway_lodi_US_2012_ul.
Taneja, Richa. “World Rose Day: A Day To Bring Happiness in the Lives Of Cancer Patients.” NDTV, 2019, www.ndtv.com/india-news/world-rose-day-a-day-to-bring-happiness-in-the-lives-of-cancer-patients-2104928.
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