Before It's Too Late by Cassie

(Image courtesy of womanonline.co.za)

“Where’s your dad?”

“Daddy’s outside. He told me he’ll be back. Keep the door closed, he says.”

“Daddy! I need to--- “

“Hey! Can’t you see what I’m doing? Get away! It stinks!”

“For how long has it been?”

“I don’t know. I tell him all the time but he doesn’t listen.”

“Can you just stop already? It’s dangerous for you!”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

“Where are they?”

“I threw them away.”

“Are you crazy?!”

“No, you ARE!”

“I’m tired of this. Don’t you see what you’re doing? Not only you hurting yourself, you’re hurting me too! Do you want to end up like them? I’ve tried to stop you, now you need to realize. Don’t be like this anymore. You’re stronger than this. Stop while you can! It’s not too late, dad...”

For more help and information about cigarette smoking prevention, refer to the following websites:

American Lung Association, http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/about-smoking/preventing-smoking/

National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/control-of-tobacco-use/Patient

Meet Devonte

Wassup Homies... I'm an "I-phone" user ahaa. My name is Devonte, Urban teen from Chicago & currently a junior in high school!

Growing up with a lot of siblings & a single mom, I had to find my own identity, which I'm still learning about til this today. Opportunities and attention wasn't offered so I had to Take it! Being on my I-phone, which I love!!!, one day granted me my wish; a summer job in downtown Chicago. Gallery 37 is a place I've called home now for four seasons (summer, fall , winter & spring).

Being apart of Health Science Explorers has led to many friendships, job opportunities, and has opened me up to learning more new things  about my health and how science is all around us! Gallery 37 wasn't my first job experience although, by far its been my best!

I have interned for a local teen magazine known as "True-Star". Working with the editorial team I worked with a professional journalist. The instructor there taught me how to 1) capture my audience, 2) keep deadlines, and 3) build my writing portfolio. Working there for a year before Gallery put me in a position to work hard for my positions and don't be afraid to branch out!

Next year I'll be a senior in High School and I'll be looking forward to attending college to major in my dream career, running my mouth and becoming a broadcast journalist. Follow my blog posts to read more revealing information about my Health-Science experiences and much more!

Next

"Is he here today?" someone would ask.
Not surprised, it's happened in the past.
My bubbly, smiling, happy Mandarin teacher,
has stage four stomach cancer.

She complained about pain near her stomach
her entire life, but no one would hear it.
She found blood on the toilet
and decided no more could she handle it.
A couple of tests and a trip to the doctor later,
she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
She tried her best to hold in her tears.
After that, my aunt would only live for half a year.

Six months later, my mom gets a call.
"Hey, it's about mom. She's not doing well at all."
A couple weeks later, my mom's on a plane to another country.
"It was hidden in her cough, something that we didn't see."
Slowly and painfully, my grandma started to plea.
She couldn't beat this lung cancer. "Please don't help me."
She died six months later, just like my aunt.
Sitting here we worry, who's next in its hunt?

Cancer has personally affected me and many of my loved ones. I hope that this poem will raise more awareness about about cancer and encourage people to be more invested in their health. The American Cancer Society's website, www.cancer.org, is one of many resources that people can visit for more information about cancer.