Here is the thing: if you’re from Philly, you are used to rooting for the underdog. Frankly, from birth it is in our DNA. We love proving doubters wrong. The World Cup final introduces us to the two top soccer franchises in the world, on our soil. As excitement builds, many like me, have become new and captivated fans of the sport. I am rooting for Argentina, as star Messi is adopted as part of our Florida family in Miami and it’s hard to believe that Argentina is considered the underdog.

I bring this up because there is a time in every cancer patient’s journey, as the diagnosis settles on them, that they may feel that they are the underdog. Too strong a word? I doubt it. I’ve witnessed this change in personal perception. People take on the moniker as if they have been knighted into an unwelcome position. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of cancer will cause you to be dismayed, troubled, thoughtful, reflective, and may even extend to anxious, grieving and overwhelmed. So there is a big “underdog” association. What is fantastic about challenges, is that they also provide us with the opportunity to be brave, driven, determined, and frankly, amazing.

Today, as many of us cheer on an “underdog”, I have a personal devotion to those who are exceptional, fearless, blessed and powerful. Yes, we have detailed here there are so many advances in cancer care. There are ways that we are going to highlight cancer with a special light and then focus on it and target it with radiation. There are ways that we are going to change your genes and apply microscopic nano bots that are going to kill cancer. But, you know what really matters? It is your belief in your personal power. We cannot do anything in cancer treatment unless you step up and say, “ I am ready. I am prepared. I will not back down, and I will succeed.”

So, I say to anyone who sees themselves as the underdog, those who have advanced, metastatic, or highly aggressive cancer: be prepared you will achieve the goal that you are meant in life to achieve. Even if it is not curing your current cancer. It is that you have impacted people in your life in a way that you will live on forever. Know that you are valuable. Know that people love you. Know that you are a winner. Always.

Ps: Thank you World Cup athletes and fans for bringing your fantastic exuberance to the US and reminding us how really exceptional our wonderful country is.