Lansdale Letter To The Editor: Cancer Benefit Offers Glimmer Of Hope

The following letter to the editor was submitted to Lansdale Patch by Harleysville resident Matt Helfrich. To submit a letter to the editor at Patch, email justin.heinze@patch.com.

In the context of this Presidential election, it’s easy to focus on our divisiveness. However, I observed hope and inspiration based upon a community that came together on October 21st in York, PA to fight cancer.

A community pulled together to support a charity golf outing that honors Dennis Falvey and Teresa Helfrich, both of whom passed away from cancer. Their bravery in the face of cancer was the inspiration for Sarah Falvey and I to organize this event.

Cancer causes pain, anger, loss and fear. Aeschylus said “ pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.” And so we try to find wisdom and inspiration from our family and friends who fought cancer so bravely. It's the impetus for our cancer charity efforts.

Our community's love and support was epitomized by their generous donations to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. NBC's Janelle Stelson and Congressman Scott Perry also shared their time to support our cancer charity efforts.

On October 21, I did not experience divisiveness. I witnessed the love and selflessness of humanity, and a community willing to pull together to fight cancer.

Matt Helfrich

Harleysville, PA

Patch file photo.