Finding Hope in the BRIGHT Journey
Hello BRIGHT Run family,
Hope you are doing well.
We endured several days with heatwaves in the months of June and July.
While that is a part of summer, it is in stark contrast to the extreme winter weather we experience some days, but then again, it is a part of the journey.
This aligns with the way I experience my life in academia. At times, some parts of my research are well known to me, but at other times, I encounter completely new areas and challenges that I try to conquer.
While solving something feels great, the trying times are real tests. Often during the days when we try, any light of hope feels invigorating and helps to push further. I don’t think I need to explain this to you, as you know what fighting means.
My husband, Dibyendu, and I visited a dark-sky reserve recently. In our middle-school Physics course, we learned that light could reach us from an extremely far-away star that may no longer exist. Therefore, the stars that we saw in the dark sky represent two groups of stars: stars that have ceased to emit light, but their emitted light continues to travel; and stars that continue to emit light (see attached photo).
As I reflected on this as someone who works with research data from patients with breast cancer, I realized that the nature of this research data could resemble the light from the stars of the sky.
No matter how far the stars are, they are invaluable to research and so are you all who contribute enormous efforts to make BRIGHT Run happen every year. Your continued efforts inspire me to push farther all the time.
Just a few more weeks to the 18th BRIGHT Run!!!
I am eager to meet you and to enjoy the beauty of Christie Lake Conservation Area.
Stay well and take care.
Best,
Ashirbani
Dr. Ashirbani Saha is the first holder of the BRIGHT Run Breast Cancer Learning Health System Chair, a permanent research position established by the BRIGHT Run in partnership with McMaster University.
