Will you stand-up to Cancer with Cleveland Indians Pitcher Carlo “Cookie” Carrasco?

Did you watch the 2019 MLB All-Star baseball game on July 10, 2019? Since my favorite baseball team is The Cleveland Indians and since they were the hosting the 2019 All-star game in Cleveland, my eyes were glued to the TV watching this mid-summer classic MLB game. According to Wikipedia, it was the sixth All-Star Game in Cleveland, and the first since 1997; this game established the Indians as the team to have hosted the most All-Star Games, breaking a four-way tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds, who have each hosted the game five times.” During the MLB All-Star game telecast on Fox Sports, it was great to hear all of the announcers, players and celebrities rave about the city of Cleveland which I have called home for the past 30 years. The MLB all-star game is more than just a game – it is a long weekend of festivities which includes a parade, celebrity appearances, concerts, a red-carpet ceremony for the All-star players, zip-lines and a family-friendly baseball themed festival called Play Ball Park.

When Cleveland last hosted the MLB All-Star game in 1997, my favorite memory was when Sandy Alomar, who was a catcher for the Indians in 1997, hit a 2-run homer late in the game to propel the American League to a 3-1 victory. Sandy was selected as the MVP of that game and I will never forget watching the ESPN post-game telecast where they showed Sandy standing in center field at Jacobs Field holding the MVP trophy. I remember seeing two of my friends, Pat Walsh and Chris Walsh, standing on both sides of Sandy in center field during that 1997 ESPN post-game telecast. Pat Walsh was good friends with Sandy and it was an honor for Chris and him to stand next to Sandy on the field after the game was over. In 1997, Pat was helping his friend Sandy deal with some personal issues and Sandy rewarded Pat for his faithful friendship with clubhouse tickets and the privilege to join him on the field after the game was over. Prior to 1997, I actually met Sandy a few times by hanging around with Pat. Sandy also gave me tickets via Pat to at least 2 Indians games in the early 1990’s. Having a personal connection to Sandy gave me a 1997 All-Star game memory which I will never forget.

Although pitcher Shane Bieber of the Indians was selected as the MVP of the 2019 All-Star game, my favorite memory from this year’s game happened after the fifth inning of the game was completed. After the final out for the American League occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning, this special moment occurred when everyone at Progressive Field participated in the Stand-up to Cancer moment. While the Stand-up to Cancer moment has become an annual event at the MLB All-Star games, the 2019 MLB All-star game stand-up to cancer moment felt like everyone was standing up for Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco, a pitcher for the Indians who was just diagnosed with Leukemia weeks before the game in Cleveland. Why did it feel like everyone was standing up for Cookie? Joe Buck and John Smoltz and the rest of the Fox sport’s TV announcers focused almost all of their coverage during this stand-up to cancer movement talking about cookie while simultaneously showing how his teammates and the fans at the game were standing up for him. Here is how Matt Snyder of CBSsports.com described what happened:

“Now an annual tradition at the MLB All-Star Game, the Stand Up to Cancer moment at Progressive Field took place after the fifth inning Tuesday night. This one had an extra special moment, as it featured Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who is battling leukemia. Through much of the spot, you can see players holding cards with Carrasco's name on it (and his nickname, "Cookie") and that was already touching, but then toward the end, the camera focused on the pitcher, standing on the field with his manager Terry Francona and the Indians' All-Stars. "I think for me the highlight of the game was the Stand Up to Cancer mention and the tribute to friends, families, that are going through cancer," said NL manager Dave Roberts. "And obviously with Carlos Carrasco and his teammates by his side, very emotional. And you hear putting things into perspective quite often, but cancer definitely tops the list." Added AL manager Alex Cora: "When I saw [Carrasco], it puts everything in perspective. We get caught up in wins and losses and pennant races and all that stuff and rivalries, and then that happens. And there's more than baseball in life. And we're thinking and praying for him, his family and hopefully he can be back on the field sooner rather than later." Major League Baseball has been partnered with Stand Up To Cancer for 11 years and pledged $50 million to support the cause. "We are proud that our partnership with Stand Up to Cancer has had a significant impact on cancer research over the last decade," said commissioner Rob Manfred in a release. "This year's campaign is yet another example of our sport's commitment to raising awareness around this disease until every person who is battling cancer becomes a survivor."

If you are not familiar with Cookie’s cancer story, on June 6, 2019, the Cleveland Indians announced pitcher Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco would be out indefinitely after it was revealed he was diagnosed with a blood condition. A month later, it was revealed that he has been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. If you are not familiar with this type of cancer, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is form of blood cancer where survival rates have improved dramatically over the last 15 years. Until Kinase inhibitors were available to treat this type of leukemia in the early 2000's, survival rates were very low. According to wikiepedia.org, a 2006 follow-up of 553 patients using imatinib (Gleevec), which is a type of Kinase inhibitor, found an overall survival rate of 89% after five years. Shortly after it was announced that he had cancer, here is what an article in the July 12, 2019 NY Post had to say about Cookie:

"Carlos Carrasco’s smile remains bright, his mood and outlook as positive as ever. Outwardly, the Indians’ right-hander doesn’t seem different. He’s determined not to let cancer change him. “I never put anything bad on my mind,” Carrasco said. “Everything’s good. So, I don’t feel different. I just push myself to work more and get stronger.” Diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia last month, the 32-year-old Carrasco spoke to media members Thursday for the first time since his life took a dramatic, unexpected turn. As he dealt with so many unknowns, Carrasco said he’s never once asked “why me” after learning of his condition. “I’m not that kind of person,” he said. “If it’s happened, it’s for a reason.” Carrasco said he first knew something was wrong after he took his annual physical at the start of spring training in Arizona. But after more blood work was done, doctors at The Cleveland Clinic told him he had a treatable form of leukemia but that he could continue pitching as long as he felt up to it. He’s barely slowed down. Carrasco has been throwing bullpen sessions, doing some recent workouts at Lake County (A) while Cleveland hosted the All-Star Game. While he everything feels normal when he’s on the mound, Carrasco doesn’t know if he’ll be able to pitch for the Indians again this season. “Man, I don’t know,” he said. “I’m just here. I’m just going to take it day by day. I don’t know. I don’t have the answer, but I’m glad to be here around my teammates.” Carrasco said he’s been overwhelmed by the support he’s received from teammates, coaches and Cleveland’s fans. During his interview session, manager Terry Francona stood just a few away from the popular starter, another sign of the club’s devotion. On Tuesday night, Carrasco felt all of baseball’s love. During the fifth inning of the All-Star Game, Carrasco walked on the field for Major League Baseball’s “Stand Up to Cancer” salute along with Francona and All-Star teammates Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, Shane Bieber and Brad Hand. As the group stood in the third-base coach’s box, Carrasco held a sign that read: “I Stand” while the other Indians held placards that said: “Cookie,” Carrasco’s nickname. When the group was shown on the ballpark’s giant scoreboard, the crowd erupted with loud cheers. Francona described the powerful moment as perfect. “Holy smokes,” he said. “You talk about putting an exclamation point on it. It was incredible.” Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger, who was sitting in one of the dugout suites, said seeing Carrasco embraced like that was special. As the group stood in the third-base coach’s box, Carrasco held a sign that read: “I Stand” while the other Indians held placards that said: “Cookie,” Carrasco’s nickname. “As hard as it was too watch, it was really moving,” Clevinger said. “It was good to see him feel that. I know he knew how much support was out there, but to really feel that not just from the league, but feel it from across America, behind the scenes even when you looked at Twitter afterward. “That was big for him and definitely big for us.” When he arrives each day at Progressive Field, Carrasco said he’s quickly greeted with hugs from teammates. Shortly after the Indians learned about his condition, a meeting was held without him at which Lindor, Santana and others pledged to win for their ailing teammate. “Everyone from the team, if I could show you, I had like 300, maybe 500 texts from them every day, asking how did I feel,” Carrasco said. “They are special to me. They feel like home. They feel like family. They always send me a text, even the guys that played here before, they send me a text every day. It feels great.” Carrasco chose not to disclose the type of medical treatment he’s receiving. In the meantime, the Indians are working off Carrasco and being mindful not to rush him. “There isn’t a plan and I don’t mean that like we don’t care,” Francona said. “But the idea is for him to do as much as he can — or as much as he can tolerate — because it will be good for him. Other than that, we’re not pushing him. We’re just trying to be supportive.” And as his teammates have backed him, Carrasco has returned the love. For Monday’s All-Star Home Run Derby, Carrasco wore a customized jersey with the names Santana, Lindor, Bieber and Hand on the back. “The way they’ve been supporting me, I just came to the game to support them, too,” he said. 'Why not?' "

Even before Leukemia, Cookie had endured physical trials while playing for the Cleveland Indians. He endured Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on his right arm in 2011 and did not pitch at all in 2012. The Tommy John procedure, which requires a lengthy recovery period and rehabilitation process, is a big operation for a pitcher as evidenced by the fact that many other pitchers who undergo a similar reconstruction procedure are unable to regain the form they had prior to the surgery. Four years after his Tommy John surgery, Cookie had non-invasive heart surgery in 2015. Yes, Cookie has had elbow reconstruction surgery, heart surgery and now he is battling cancer. There are not many professional baseball players who have endured such a diverse set of major medical trials than Carlo “Cookie” Carrasco. With all the physical challenges he has been through, Cookie has been Cleveland’s bounce-back player as evidenced by his record since his most recent heart surgery in 2015. From 2015 to 2018, he had an average record of 15-9 (45 wins over those 3 seasons) with a 3.39 ERA. He led the AL in wins in 2017 with 18 W’s. In the midst of all these medical trials, he has signed 2 contract extensions to stay with the Indians. After signing his most recent extension on April 7, 2015, Cookie said “I wanted to stay; the Indians are like family to me. We love Cleveland.” The Indians definitely took a chance with Cookie when they signed the second extension with him in 2015 because Cookie had not won a lot of games from 2011 to 2014. Because of his loyalty and his always smiling personality, he has become a fan-favorite amongst Cleveland Indians fans. After being diagnosed with Leukemia, Cookie has demonstrated the ability to put other’s needs above his own by visiting children in the hospital with Leukemia to encourage them to persevere in their own cancer trials. What an amazing experience it must be for children in a hospital cancer ward to be able to meet a professional baseball player in their hospital room and then to be able to form an immediate connection with that player because he is also enduring a similar cancer trial.

Since this video shows children with cancer at the Cleveland Clinic encouraging or standing up with Cookie, I think I cried as I watched this video and you will likely need some tissues too if you click on and watch the following twitter video link:

https://mobile.twitter.com/Indians/status/1151908238746619904?s=17.

Oh, what an amazing man Carlos “Cookie Carrasco” must be to get this kind of video response and words of encouragement from these children with cancer. He has obviously touched these children’s hearts in a major way for them to take the time and make the effort to encourage Cookie in this video. As you can see, Cookie, in the midst of his own cancer trials, is standing up for Children with cancer, and they are turning around and standing up for Cookie.

Since I (Jim Risk) was first diagnosed with cancer back in 2007, I have come to learn that cancer is everywhere and it even affects professional baseball players like Cookie in the prime of their professional sporting careers. While it is nice to have MLB players, fans, executives and coaches “stand-up” for Cookie during his cancer battle, what exactly does “stand-up” really mean? Here is how dictionary.com defines “stand-up”:

adjective

• standing erect or upright, as a collar.

• performed, taken, etc., while one stands: a stand-up meal.

• designed for or requiring a standing position: a stand-up lunch counter.

• (of a fight) characterized by the rapid exchange of many blows with little attention given to defensive maneuvering.

• characterized by an erect or bold stance: a stand-up batter who hits many doubles.

• Baseball. (of a double or triple) pertaining to a hit that allows the hitter to reach the base safely without having to slide.

When I think of standing up with someone who has cancer, the best analogy I can think of is when a best-man stands up with the groom during a wedding ceremony. The best man has a lot of responsibilities but one of his main responsibilities is to provide the groom with emotional support, patiently listening to the groom's complaints, confessions, and questions without any judgment. The best man is the reassuring best friend who lightens the groom’s load before, during and after the wedding ceremony. He will pat the groom on the back and keep him focused and his head in the (wedding) game.

When standing-up for a friend or loved one with cancer, I think we can all agree it is more than just standing up like so many caring individuals did at the 2019 MLB All-Star game with their friend’s or loved one’s name written on a stand-up to cancer card. When standing up for someone with cancer you love or care deeply about, you are letting the cancer patient know you love them and you will be there for them. You can provide them with emotional support by patiently listening to the cancer patient’s complaints, confessions and questions without any judgement. You can be the reassuring best friend who lightens the cancer patient’s load before, during and after their cancer trial. As the reassuring friend, what should you say to someone with cancer?

Over the years, I have heard numerous individuals say to me “I don’t know what to say to my friend or loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer”. People will go on to tell me, “I can talk to my friend or loved one about so many things, but I am suddenly speechless when I have to talk to them about something as serious as a cancer trial”. In an effort to provide some assistance to this communication dilemma which so many individuals have been faced with over the course of their lives, I did a little research and found some helpful tips on the MD Anderson (MDA) Cancer Center web page on what they recommend saying to someone with cancer. The MDA site offers guidance similar to what I have read from other resources providing guidance on how to best communicate with someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. After asking cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in their Facebook community to share the best things to say to someone with cancer, below is what MD Anderson Cancer Center (https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise/what-to-say-to-someone-with-cancer.h00-158989023.html) recommends saying to a cancer patient:

• "We'll get through this together. You're not facing cancer alone."

• "I am praying for you."

• "I am here for you." Then follow through and really be there.

• Don't ask what you can do to help or say, "Let me know if you need anything." Many people will never ask for help even though they need it. Instead, jump in and do whatever you can to make things easier for your friend or loved one. Deliver meals. Go to appointments. Listen. Hold hands. Offer to watch the kids or walk the dog.

• Choose positive, hopeful words, but don't give people false hope or talk about other people's cancer outcomes. Remember, each person is different, and hearing other people's stories may scare your friend or loved one.

• Just say something. Many people ignore cancer patients and caregivers when they're diagnosed because they don't know what to say. But that only makes them feel worse. Sometimes "hello" or "I love you" is enough.

• "You are strong. You can do this."

• "This sucks. I love you. I'm going to [help by ___ ]."

• "Never, never, never give up."

• Just listen. Your friend or loved one has a lot to think about, and one of the best gifts you can give is to be a sounding board.

• Don't focus on your own worries and sadness about your friend or loved one's diagnosis. The patient or caregiver shouldn't feel like he or she has to take care of you. Instead, offer strength, humor and practical help.

• "Where do we start? We're in this together."

• Accept that sometimes words fail us. Often, the best thing is to offer hugs, show up and say, "I love you."

If you are going to stand-up with a friend or loved one with cancer, knowing what is on the preceding MDA list will likely be helpful to you as it provides excellent recommendations on what to say to them and what to do for them. If I may attempt to summarize the preceding MDA list, we are supposed to tell cancer patients to buck-up, do their best, stay positive, stay strong, you can do this, never give up, we are praying for you, we will be there for you, we will go to appointments with you, and, if we don’t know anything else to say, then we should give them a hug. This is all great advice and will certainly encourage cancer patients to persevere in their cancer trials; However, this advice does NOT address the elephant in the room which all cancer patients are thinking about. Yes, there is definitely an elephant in the room. I am talking about a very LARGE elephant which you cannot miss. In fact, everyone who has cancer sees this elephant regardless if they are willing to admit it or not but I will talk more about this large herbivore in a minute.

Before I discuss this elephant in the room which ALL cancer patients are thinking about, what exactly does the term “elephant in the room” actually mean? First of all, it is a metaphorical idiom. Metaphorical is a description of something using an implied comparison. An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those individual words. This informal term (elephant in the room) will be an important definition to understand as you read the remaining paragraphs of this blog post. According to itinterviewguide.com (itinterviewguide.com/elephant-in-the-room-meaning), the meaning of the term “elephant in the room” is described as follows:

“an "elephant in the room" is a situation, problem, risk, or topic everyone present is aware of, but does not address or challenge it. It usually refers to topics that make people uncomfortable, sensitive matters of morality, or simply matters that are difficult or unpleasant to talk about.”

For cancer patients, the term “elephant in the room” is referring to a potential cancer trial outcome which they are all thinking about but everyone avoids talking about. In fact, I have met more than a few cancer patients who will cut you off if you even try to discuss this potential outcome with them. So, what is this potential outcome? In 13 years of ministering to people with cancer, I have yet to meet a cancer patient who is not thinking about what will happen to them should they not survive their cancer trial. In other words, the "elephant in the room", which by definition is missing from the preceding MDA list, for cancer patients is “what do you say to a cancer patient about what happens to their soul if they die from their cancer trial?”

If you enroll in a class in college and the professor walks in and says “you are going to fail this class no matter what you do” and then one of your friends looks at you and says “stay positive and never give up”, how would you respond? You would probably not give the class your best effort nor would you likely stay as engaged in the class as you probably should. You might even give up or stop attending the class altogether. The “you will fail prognosis” from your professor might even cause you to get depressed since your academic prospects seem hopeless. Similarly, if you were diagnosed with terminal cancer and one of your friends walks in the room and tells you to stay strong and to never give up, how would you respond? Would you be thankful your friend appears to have your back as evidenced by his or her encouraging comments or would you be irritated by the fact that he or she is obviously ignoring your terminal diagnosis? Personally, I would be thinking to myself “how can I remain strong if I die from my cancer trial”? Is my friend not listening to the reality of my diagnosis? How can I never, never, never give up if I die from this cancer trial and what happens to me then?

In ministering to people with cancer over the past 13 years, I have come to realize that ALL cancer patients are thinking about this elephant in the room; However, not all of them have a plan for the eternal destiny of their souls should they die from their cancer trial. If a cancer patient tells you they are NOT thinking about this elephant in the room, then they are likely not being truthful with you. While all cancer patients know there is an elephant in the room, many will ignore this oversized elephant and will instead focus on finding their own solution to their cancer predicament. For example, I have observed how many terminal cancer patients will ignore this elephant in the room and will focus all of their energies on searching the globe looking for a medical solution which will hopefully extend their life here on earth. While it is a normal reaction for individuals to want to survive their cancer trial, these individuals become OBSESSED with finding a cure for their cancer. I have observed how many other terminal cancer patients will also ignore this elephant in the room and will instead focus on their medical prognosis, becoming angry at God and/or their circumstances because the medical professionals have given them a terminal diagnosis. As the cancer trial progresses and as their health continues to decline, this anger will often turn into depression for these individuals. Despite their ever-declining worldly circumstances, they still ignore the elephant in the room. I have also observed how many other terminal cancer patients will ignore this elephant in the room and will spend their remaining days pursuing their bucket list and living out their dreams in whatever time they have left on this earth. Yes, they ignore the elephant and instead focus on their own dreams and happiness. There are many other ways to respond to a terminal cancer diagnosis but, unless they are prepared to address this elephant in the room, most if not all of these responses will result in dissatisfaction over their lives failing to meet their preconceived expectations. I say this as humbly as I can but many individuals in our world have the viewpoint that they control their own destiny and, when their actual outcomes or results fail to meet their preconceived expectations, then feelings of anger, resentment, and dissatisfaction will likely follow. For example, Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, died a billionaire at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer. Here below are some of Steve Jobs' last publicized words before he died from his pancreatic cancer trial:

“In other eyes, my life is the essence of success, but, aside from work, I have a little joy. And in the end, wealth is just a fact of life to which I am accustomed.

At this moment, lying on the bed, sick and remembering all my life, I realize that all my wealth and recognition that I have is meaningless in the face of imminent death. You can hire someone to drive a car for you, make money for you, but you can’t rent someone to carry the disease for you. One can find material things but there is one thing which cannot be found when it is lost - “LIFE”.”

Yes, Steve Jobs, in his last days, was thinking about the true meaning of his life as a whole and he was also lamenting over the prospect of losing his life. Yes, his cancer trial had caused him to became very aware of how precious his "LIFE" really was. Towards the end of his cancer trail, he finally realized that his "LIFE" was more important than all of his worldly accomplishments but this powerful man was powerless to do anything about it. When reflecting on his comments, it is ironic that the bible tells us that whoever wants to save their life will lose it yet whoever is willing to lose their life for Christ will find it. Matthew 26:24-27 tells us:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”

Yes, for people who are given a terminal cancer diagnosis, there are all sorts of ways to respond to this elephant in the room. As I just described in the preceding paragraphs, many terminal cancer patients, including Steve Jobs, ignore this large, oversized herbivore in the room and instead look for their own solution to their cancer predicament. Fortunately, I have observed many cancer patients who acknowledge there is an elephant in the room and they start to wonder what will happen to their souls should they die from their terminal cancer trial. I have written in this blog many times that a cancer diagnosis causes the cancer patient to think of their own mortality probably more than he or she ever has ever thought about it before. In other words, one of the blessings of cancer is it brings your own mortality to the forefront of your mind, causing you to think through the implications of what happens to your soul should you not survive your cancer trial. As the following two bible verses indicate, God designed each of us to long and thirst for Him:

My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God (Psalm 84:2).

My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God's presence? (Psalm 42:2)

Yes, each and every one of our souls are designed to thirst for God and it is in Him that we will find answers to questions about our eternal destiny, regardless if we survive a cancer trial or not. It is only God who can provide answers to the questions raised by this large elephant in the room. In other words, it is only God who can provide us with an answer to the question of what happens to our soul should we die from our cancer trial.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you will need to decide “in whom or in what” will you put your faith and trust in. As we just discussed, a cancer diagnosis will cause many individuals to turn to God for answers to their questions about the eternal destiny of their souls yet many individuals will ignore the elephant in the room and will seek their own answers or solutions to their cancer predicament. If you continue to ignore this elephant in the room, the bible tells us what will happen to your soul should you pass from a terminal cancer trial. Mathew 10:28 tells us:

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

After reading the preceding verse from Matthew, you would have to be a fool to not consider what God is saying here. Please do not be offended by the fact that I am using the term “fool” here as this description is not terminology which I developed; Instead, it is terminology which is used in the bible to describe terminal cancer patients who ignore this elephant in the room. Furthermore, the definition of a “fool” being referenced here may be a slightly different definition than what you are thinking of. So, what is the biblical definition of a “fool” I am referencing here? The bible describes a fool as someone who lives as if God doesn’t exist or decides that God doesn’t matter.

Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” The fool rejects the advice of others and instead listens only to himself.”

Proverbs 14:1 says “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”

If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are struggling with this elephant in the room, then I would encourage you to not be foolish by ignoring God’s clear instructions and commandments which are documented in the bible. How can we all avoid being foolish? Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us:

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Yes, God has a plan for each of our lives and we can be wise and not foolish if we actively seek a relationship with God so we can better understand what His perfect will is. Yes, God is sovereign and in control, and we are not. God works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1:11). Many cancer patients cannot come to terms with the fact that God is sovereign and in control and that rebellion against Him causes them to stumble and fall. Later in this blog post, I will discuss in more detail what the bible has to say to say about the fact that Jesus is the Cornerstone which many individuals will stumble over. In the interim, why should we listen to what the bible has to say? 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”

If God is the only one who can provide answers to the questions raised by this elephant in the room, then what should you say to someone with cancer who is looking for answers to their questions about the eternal destiny of their soul? First of all, please realize that the cancer patient may not want to admit to thinking about this elephant in the room and they may even go as far as to say they are NOT interested in even chatting about this very large herbivore. In 13 plus years of ministering to hundreds of people with cancer, I have yet to meet one person who is NOT thinking about this elephant in the room. Additionally, as evidenced in the two verses (Psalms 42:2 and 84:2) from the Psalms I referenced earlier in this blog post, God designed each of us to long for Him. If we are designed by Him to long for Him, God has designed humans to think about Him during a cancer diagnosis even if we are unwilling to admit to doing so. So, what should you say to someone who is diagnosed with cancer and is worried about this elephant in the room? The Bible provides answers to this question as well as answers to many other tough questions. For example, Romans 6:23 tells us:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Yes, regardless of the outcome of their cancer trial, Christ can provide eternal life to everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him as Savior and Lord. Question: So, what then should you say to someone with cancer? Answer: The good news is it doesn’t matter if you live or die from your current cancer trial as you can spend eternity with Christ in heaven if you have put your faith and trust in Him as savior and Lord. Yes, Jesus is the only one who can answer the questions raised by the elephant in the room and He is the only one who can provide the cancer patient with true hope by promising eternal life. When we compare the length of our lives here on earth against the prospect of spending eternity with God, it becomes less important if we survive our cancer trial and more important to focus on our relationship with God, who we can spend eternity with. Yes, we should all be good stewards of the care we receive during our own cancer trial journey. Some cancer patients want to be very aggressive in battling their disease while other patients are willing to take a more conservative approach. Deciding on how to approach the medical care associated with a cancer trial is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong answer here as to which approach is better. It is also completely normal and reasonable for someone to have the goal of “surviving” their cancer trial and then seeking the best care available to help them achieve this goal. However, when we ignore both God and this elephant in the room and instead focus 100% of our efforts on finding our own solution or response to our cancer diagnosis, then we are being a fool who the bible describes as someone who intentionally or unintentionally says “there is no God”.

If you are a Christian and if you believe the scriptures are the inspired word of God, then the advice given in the MDA article referenced earlier takes on a whole new meaning. For example, the MDA article indicates we should tell someone with cancer “you are strong – you can do this”. Why should you be strong? You can be strong because Christ provides eternal life to all who believe in Him. The MDA article also suggests we should tell someone with cancer “We'll get through this together. You're not facing cancer alone”. If you have a personal relationship with Christ, the holy spirit lives in your heart so you are really not going through the cancer trial alone as He is with you always.

I do have to admit the “We'll get through this together. You're not facing cancer alone” advice from the MDA article seems to suggest that friends or family will somehow take your place in the midst of your cancer trial. Of course, this is a ludicrous thought as it is only the cancer patient who needs the cancer treatments and it is only the cancer patient who will endure the physical pain which often accompanies a cancer trial. In other words, a friend can only Stand-up for their friend who has cancer but they CANNOT stand in their place during or at the end of a terminal cancer trial. Romans 14:10-12 tells us:

“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Romans 14:10-12 is important because we are all going to eventually die and we are all going to stand before God’s judgement seat. When we stand before God’s judgement seat, there will be no one to Stand-up for us in a way similar to how so many baseball fans stood up for Cookie at the 2019 MLB All-Star game. However, for everyone who has a personal relationship with Christ, Jesus is able to STAND IN OUR PLACE at the judgement seat of God. Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us:

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the propitiation for our sins, the atoning sacrifice that appeases God's wrath and brings reconciliation. According to compellingtruth.org (https://www.compellingtruth.org/Jesus-took-our-place.html):

“Jesus was eligible to take our place because He lived a sinless life. While we fail to live up to God's perfect standards on a daily basis, Jesus, who was fully human and fully God, lived His entire life without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). Though Jesus was God's perfect Son who had committed no sin, He was executed as a sinner (Luke 23). Jesus was made sin on our behalf, so that He could take our guilt and give us His righteousness instead: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Those who accept Jesus' offer of salvation by putting their faith in Him are no longer condemned to die (John 3:16–18, 26). Jesus died so that we wouldn't have to—He took our place, bearing the weight of our sins and the sins of the whole world on Himself (John 1:29). If we have believed in Jesus, we are dead to sin and alive to Christ (Romans 6:11). His triumph over death has brought us victory: "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (Colossians 2:13–15).

Because Jesus took our place, in Him we are no longer condemned but forgiven (Romans 8:1). We need only to put our faith in Christ and His sacrifice for us in order to have everlasting life and be in right standing with God: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Jesus willingly took your place; all you must do is trust in Him and you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Praise be to God for His free gift of salvation and life everlasting in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8–9).”

For many people who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and are concerned about what happens to their souls after they die, it will ultimately come down to, “Do they or do they not believe that Jesus is the Christ?”. 1 Peter 2:6-8 tells us:

“For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for.”

Yes, Jesus is the cornerstone and many terminal cancer patients will stumble over Him, meaning they will pass away from their terminal cancer diagnosis without believing that He is the Christ. In other words, they will reject His offer of eternal life to all who believe in Him. However, to those who do believe, they realize how precious their personal relationship with Christ is because they know he will be there at the end of their lives to STAND IN THEIR PLACE before the judgement seat of God. If you are suffering from terminal cancer, do you believe Jesus is the Christ and He is the only one who can offer you true hope?

To Carlos “Cooke” Carrasco, I want to thank you for both publicizing your cancer trial journey and for participating in the 2019 MLB All-Star game Stand-up to cancer moment. By participating in this highly publicized event, you have helped bring awareness to how we can all stand-up with our friends and loved ones who are battling cancer. As a celebrity, it requires tremendous courage and a humble disposition to be as open about your cancer journey as you have been. As a result, you are one of the most amazing professional athletes I have ever read about. In fact, your humble, joyful heart inspires me. According to the news reports I have read about you, you have never said “why me”. In fact, you even said, “If it’s happened, it’s for a reason”. Wow, you have maturity beyond your years. There are so many professional athletes who, if they were in a situation similar to yours, would be very angry about how their cancer trial has robbed them of their professional glory. You, on the other hand, seem to be more concerned about serving others, particularly children, than you are about your own professional desires and aspirations.

While it is excellent news that the stand-up to cancer movement has received so much publicity as a result of Cookie’s unfortunate cancer trial, the most important news to share is there is someone (Jesus) who can STAND IN YOUR PLACE at the judgement seat of God should you pass away from your cancer trial. This is good news as Jesus provides eternal hope to all who believe in Him. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it yet whoever is willing to lose their life for Christ will find eternal life in Him. Yes, for someone diagnosed with terminal cancer, Jesus is the only one who can provide answers to the questions raised by this very large elephant in the room. He is the only one who can offer the terminal cancer patient true hope and peace with God. If we want to be the reassuring best friend who stands up with our friends and loved ones with cancer, then Jesus is the one who we should be talking to them about, telling them the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. While it is very helpful to stand-up for our friends and loved one with cancer, will you also have the courage to tell them that there is someone (Jesus) who can STAND IN THEIR PLACE?

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Jim Risk, a two-time cancer survivor, is the volunteer Ministry Coordinator for the Cancer Support Group (CSG) at a non-denominational church in NE Ohio. Jim and his wife, Kristina, have participated and served in CSG, a Christian ministry, since 2007.