Jacksonville, FL. Lung cancer survivor-advocate Samantha Mixon, and her family, will represent Team Draft at Everbank Stadium on Thursday night. They will watch the Jacksonville Jaguars take on Marcus Mariota's Tennessee Titans. #Tacklinglungcancer #NFL  #ThursdayNightFootball #LCAM15

Keeping My Faith - Living with Stage IV Lung Cancer ~ Samantha Mixon

Today I went to see a counselor at our church.  I absolutely love St. Simons Community Church and the family of people we've grown with there.  I reached out because Karley recently told me that she felt like she needed more faith, it wasn't strong enough.

I totally understood.  How could it be strong enough to understand your mom has stage 4 lung cancer when you're only 10?  Why would God do this to us?

Well, I want everyone, including Karley, to understand.  All of our days are numbered.  We are all going to die one day, some sooner than others.  What is important is that we live the way He would want us to live.  There is a purpose for all of us.  Mine may be this blog, reaching out and helping people, raising my girl, I don't know.  And I won't know until I'm at those pearly gates.  Neither will any of you.  So, I do have complete faith in my healing.  But, where that healing takes place, that is up to God.  That is something we do not have control over, so what is the sense in worrying?

That's what I want Karley to know.  I will be fine.  Whether it be here or in heaven.  She doesn't have to worry about me.  Yes, I get sad because I worry about her, but I can't control what happens.  I only pray that she is fine without me one day.  She's a strong girl and I pray she will continue to have the love and support she needs to deal with the big things that come her way.  She's been through so much.

We are going back to that counselor 12/1 to both talk to her.  She was so helpful.  We are also going to the Jacksonville Jaguars game with Team Draft Thursday so I'll update Friday.  And my 3 year cancerversary is coming up 11/27!

Read the full blog

In 2012, we, Team Draft, launched our inaugural Survivor at Every Stadium initiative on CNN during a nationally-televised prime time special focusing on lung cancer and our National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer.

Leveraging our connections with the NFL, its teams and players and our relationships with many of the top cancer centers in the country, As part of our National Campaign, this celebration of survivorship raises lung cancer awareness, gives hope to those battling the disease, and shines a light on the important work being done at cancer research and treatment centers around the country.

Team Draft's goals are to create a unique experience for participating survivors and to raise awareness on a local, national, and international level by using each game and each survivor’s story to weave a broader narrative about the state of cancer and the hope that now exists for those battling the disease.

Special thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Piedmont Health, and our Team Draft supporters for helping make this experience possible.

Donate now to Support the National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer!