Cancer Statistics Daunting but Overshadowed

I take cancer seriously.
Family members have passed away, and some currently struggle with the brutal disease and its heartbreaking impact.
We frequently have requests for prayer and support.

Thank goodness for research, medical advances and all the people who contribute to the cause.
It seems there is always a weekend run/walk event or other charity efforts to help. I gladly contribute and have walked along, too.

What surprised me this week was a statistic.

8 million deaths
40 million deaths

Cancer is reported as the leading cause of death in the world.
It takes an enormous toll. Some say one of three people will contract cancer in their lifetime.

But it is not actually the leading cause of death in the world.
Cancer is responsible for 8 million deaths per year.
Abortion is responsible for more than 40 million deaths per year, worldwide.

Cancer is the leading cause of non-elective death.
Abortion is the leading cause of elective death.

What struck me most when I compared the two is our collective drive throughout the world to defeat cancer.
We are all committed and compassionate about finding cures and treatments.
We gladly donate time and money to this worthy cause.
Every one of us wants to spare the lives of our friends and family.

If we could flip a switch tomorrrow and save 8 million lives, worldwide, from cancer death, woudn't we?
Absolutely - that's exactly what we're all researching, donating and walking and praying for.

What if you could flip a switch and save 5 times that many lives in a year?
40 million lives.
In a ten year span....that's the poplulation of the United States, or Japan, or Indonesia...

I believe we should speak candidly and openly about reversing the statistic that is reponsible for the most deaths worldwide.
Definitely pray, and even organize a walk or two.

What do you believe?