How Cancer Schmancer Influenced Me

My name is Julie Hoefling, and I am 14 years old, and I would like to share with you how Cancer Schmancer has influenced me. I was about 12 years old when I had first heard of the Cancer Schmancer Movement, through the awesome founder of the movement, Fran Drescher. A TV star, with a story! And a passion for early detection of women’s cancers. She believes that all women’s cancers should be diagnosed in stage one when they are most curable. Unfortunately, yet oddly enough, she had to learn the hard way, she was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer. But even that couldn’t knock her down. She was so determined to make something out of her experience, she wrote multiple drafts of the book about her journey for a cure called “Cancer Schmancer” she went on a book tour and found out she wasn’t alone. So she created the Cancer Schmancer Movement, which she spawned quickly from the book. For me, seeing all that she had done to change the lives of others was very inspiring, and I wanted to read the book. When I did I went through crying, laughing, and butterflies-in-my-stomach moments. It was very deep, intelligent and emotional. The book inspired me to help.

Everyday I would look on the Cancer Schmancer website to see if I could find any new interesting way for kids to help. I finally did start-involving myself in the Cancer Schmancer Movement by organizing interesting contests for teens, trying to influence them to become involved. It actually worked out pretty well and it was a lot of fun for me as well as the contestants. I continue to organize contests, as well as open-mindedly admire Fran Drescher for all that she has been through and how she has made it a life mission to turn negatives into positives and change the lives of others, as well as herself. I have a lot of respect for not only her and the Cancer Schmancer Movement, but for all my close friends who have continuously supported me in my efforts and developed their own. I now know so many things about being young women that I would have never know until I was around 18 or so. I am mentally prepared for the rest of my life and I know the steps it takes to be healthy and literally take control, of my own body. I have not only Fran, but Cancer Schmancer and all my supportive friends to thank for that.

- - - Julie Hoefling, WE THE FUTURE member