One Single Cell

Your body is home for 30 to 40 trillion cells. And here’s a sobering fact about them: If just one of those cells goes rogue and mutates, it can lead to deadly consequences.

I've learned that most cancers begin with a single mutated cell which undergoes further mutations and keeps replicating itself, triggering uncontrolled malignant growth. In my case, one bad cell in my bone marrow led to myelodysplastic syndrome – a rare and incurable form of blood cancer.

Let that sink in for a minute.

Of the trillions of cells that are in the human body, just one can cause an avalanche of change.

It’s that way with cells. And it’s that way with people, too. The actions of one person can trigger a cascading series of events that can affect countless lives all around them – for better or for worse.

Think about that the next time you feel one person can't make a difference in this world. Never underestimate the impact that you, or any individual – or even one tiny microscopic cell – can have.

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Photographer's Footnote: This close-up photo of ice bubbles was taken at the frozen koi pond in our backyard.