In 2020, people became very conscious of how viruses and illnesses could deeply impact people’s lives. Although the global pandemic is over, there are still many viruses and illnesses affecting numerous lives each year. One such illness is cancer. A 2022 article by the American Cancer Society estimated that up to 1.9 Americans would receive new cancer diagnoses that year alone. That is a lot of people—and their loved ones—impacted by this disease. Optional: Invite students to share if they or their loved ones have been impacted by cancer. 

Even with health insurance, the medical bills for cancer treatment can cost thousands of dollars—a large and unexpected expense that can leave patients and families bankrupt or unable to pay for the treatment on top all their other expenses, such as food and housing. 

• Many patients facing a serious illness, such as cancer, don’t have large amounts of money sitting around for medical bills. Have you or any of your family members ever needed medical care and worried if it would turn out okay—or how your family would be able to pay for it? If not, how do you think this might feel? (Answers will vary; one might feel desperate, scared, or hopeless.) 

Unsure of how to pay such a large sum of money, many patients and families must rely on the assistance and financial support from others to pay medical bills. Let’s watch a video of one man trying to offer this assistance.

Play the following video for your students [3:10; start at 0:22; stop at 3:00]:
Local marathoner runs 100 miles to raise money for cancer patients

Rob sacrificed time both to train and to raise money. He also sacrificed physical comfort by running great distances in preparation for the 100-mile race.

• Through fundraisers like Rob’s race, people can donate regardless of whether or not they know they cancer patients in real life. What kinds of things might compel someone to donate to a family they don’t know? (Answers will vary.) 
• What other stories have you heard of people who have sacrificed something, perhaps even their own lives, for the sake of others? What was the purpose of the sacrifice? (Answers will vary.)
• Have you ever sacrificed something for another person? Tell us about it. (Answers will vary.)

Sacrifices of time and money are offered by people to help other people. Although these acts are needed and demonstrate kindness, there are limits to the effect of the sacrifices people make. There was a time when sacrifices were made for sin. There were limits to the effect those sacrifices had, too. Let’s find out more.