Skies The Limit & Vizualies
Presents

Urban Youth No Smoking Fundraiser Live Showcase

Continued…

@ The Shaw Theatre, Euston Road

This event was proposed to create awareness to the youth of the community about the dangers of life's habits that cause life-threatening diseases, not just to themselves but also to the people who surround them. People need to realise that this generation holds a significant impact to their youngers as they are the ones who can influence good health and well-being. Skies The Limit Entertainment and rapper Vizualies have put on various shows over the years and this one was the Urban Youth No Smoking Fundraising Event which had not only showcased talents in singing, rapping and dance, but they had also pulled in guest speakers to explain the importance in the youth coming together and supporting these charities.

EUT speaks to one of the evening's guest speakers, Yannik, on a brief discussion on his experience with cancer. Yannik has kindly left us one of the most personal and heart whelming poems that expresses his thoughts and present insights to life after facing near death.

1. What are your views on the concept of this event?

The concept of the event was a positive one and I find that endearing, as the current nature of our society isn't built on positive vibes. Awareness isn't cherished and appreciated, as it should be, because most people in my view are happy living in ignorance regardless of how destructive the results. In effect, I support awareness on any level, because even though it isn't always applicable to everyone at the time of portrayal. It's like planting a seed in someone's head, which could work for the good of others at some time or other and bottom line we need more of it!

2. How did it feel being on stage telling your experience of Cancer?

Telling my experience of cancer isn't always an easy thing to do in front of a crowd of people. The reason being that no-one ever wants to experience the harsh reality of having to battle with that illness and telling people the details of it can be a discouraging factor should they be faced with cancer. My experience required a level of endurance that I didn't even know I possessed due to the torturous nature of chemo/radio therapy. I found myself depressed and sometimes almost feeling suicidal but people deal with it differently. So I find it better be brief and not get too specific about the gory details. I prefer to focus on the positive sides (yes there are some) such as the support of family and friends and of course the fact the I beat the illness in the end and 8 years later am alive and kicking! And also the fact that I found God in the process!

3. Is there enough people supporting Charity Funding Campaigns?

I think that there are many people supporting charities but I find it a complicated subject because the way I see it people choose to support charities that support situations that affect them in some way or another. For example, having been through cancer I can appreciate the work done by cancer research charities to find cures for the illness and I find myself donating to cancer charities more than say, the rspcc. It's not that I don't value and appreciate the work that they do but I think you get my point.

4. What would you like to see in regards to creating more awareness of Cancer and any other life threatening diseases?

That's a difficult one as I think that most fatal diseases aren't always that easily preventable because their causes are often speculated. The preventable diseases are made aware to the general public in large quantities. (Aids-Unprotected sex, Lung cancer-developed through smoking, Heart attacks-high levels of cholesterol). In my case, to this day, I still don't know why I developed cancer. People have their theories that mostly point to my eating habits, which didn't differ, that much to that of my younger brother or sisters (they didn't have cancer), so therefore I cannot accept this as being conclusive. Some even say that the cause itself might have even been due to a bad mental state, which again is inconclusive. I feel that most people are aware of how to avoid most fatal diseases and that information is available for those who wish to know more so it's more up to individuals to take charge in order to prevent such things from happening and the fact is that you can never be on top of everything.

Poem

I'm in love with a man
Don't judge me I'll help you understand
That he is unlike any other man
He told me that he knew me before my mother did
He said he wanted me so much that he placed the highest bid
And then he put his life on the line in order to preserve mine
Blessed me so many times that I had to make him mine
His love stretches so far that it's never ending
His grace and mercy lie beyond my understanding
He is a shelter in the time of storm
With power to defy the norm
And has been watching over me since the day that I was born
Deserves all the love that I possess nothing less
And if I was a fish in the sea he'd be the water that I swim in
But because he made me human he's the air that I'm breathing
If I was a lion I'd chose him as king of my jungle
And if I was a king he still be the ruler of my castle
He's mighty big and strong and ever ready for battle
Despite the fact that he is naturally gentle
I'm so glad I got to know of his existence
And all the benefits that come with him for instance
I can engage in prayer whenever I want to reach him
For When I want to praise worship or thank him
I've got direct communication whatever my situation
Regardless of the exact co-ordinates of my location
In him I have an everlasting friend that I'm keeping
A perfect role model that I find comfort in
A place for me to cast every last one of my burdens
And a source from which flows blessing after blessing
I have a little light that shines for him uninterrupted
My foundation is in him, heavily cemented.
I confess
I never knew a love like this existed
I never knew that love could flow unlimited
Let me tell you about the time when I first met him
I was in hospital dying with cancer filled with anger
At 18 it seemed like my life was over
I could actually feel death creeping over my shoulder
Through all this I had a question that needed answer
Why me? I don't drink-I don't smoke, could never kill
I no longer steal I keep it real
So why am lying on my death bed at such a young age
Anyway
I was visited by those who loved me
Friends, family and others who never knew me
And most of my visitors were Christian folk
Who would only talk about this man?
What he's done for them, what can do for me
That he died on Calvary just to set us free
That he's their comforter and strength whenever they're lonely
That he's the only thing in this world that make's them happy
They identified him Jesus the Son of God
And said that I am fully justified by his blood
That I if I repented healing would be of certainty
That he is the only way not possibly but certainly
I thought to myself I should just give him a try
Either that or I can just give up hope and die
And so I fell to my knees begging Jesus please
Forgive me lord Jesus can you hear me?
Reveal yourself Jesus let me know you're near me!
I'm begging Jesus can you please help me
Needless for me to say that he touched and healed me
Reached in and removed the cancer within me
Blessed me with love and peace and grace and mercy
I am now his humble servant & I love him dearly
Cause he's everything and more that I could want him to be
In him I've nothing but positivity
And now when things are bad to minimize my stresses
I'll leave it up to him who turns my curses into blessings
I'm in love with the man, now judge me
Cos now I know your understand that he is unlike any other man.