Today John Edwards will hold a press conference to discuss the health of his wife, Elizabeth, who has battled breast cancer for some time. First, our prayers go out to the family. No one wants to see anyone battle through cancer and with UNC-Chapel Hill preparing to partake in Relay for Life this weekend, it serves as a reminder of how fragile life is and the struggles of cancer victims.
Cancer victims and their families will always have a special place in my heart. In college, I helped to participate in a project at West Virginia University that detailed the lives of cancer patients. I’ve had family members pass away because of cancer, including a cousin last year at the age of 18. It’s a deadly disease that takes it out of the one fighting the disease as well as the entire family.
That’s why I can’t see Edwards remaining in the race much longer. If it were me, I’d want to be by my wife’s side. Sure, if you’re in politics, winning a presidential election is what you dream about, but your family is more important than the presidency or any election or job.
Without knowing him other than to shake his hand on a couple of occasions, I believe Edwards holds that same opinion. The News and Observer reports in the last line of an article about today’s press conference that, “Edwards said he would not seek the presidency if his wife’s health were to worsen.” That was said last year. I doubt that has changed.
Regardless of how we may view Edwards politically - and there are many things that I disagree with him on - this is something that we can all agree upon. No one wants to see anyone suffer through cancer and we hope and pray for the best, for not only Edwards’ wife, but all cancer victims as well.
