The value of life is my topic this week. I know one would expect me to be chatting about the ISL with the opening games starting next week but this week's topic touches me deeply and was inspired by a close friend.

It is amazing how we all look at life and feel sometimes we have been hard done by. I have been stressing over things in past years and have had some great moments in my life as well. But recently I have been shocked by some news from a friend.

Just when I thought my life was hard and was having some bad days, two days ago I got a phone call from a close friend in Baltimore who I have known for about seven years.

He is a great father and looks out for others and never really worries much about the little things. My friend, Tony, has been through an unfortunate situation. About three years' ago he had been jumped and beaten at a gas station and was left with fractures and serious head injuries which almost cost him his life. Two weeks earlier our best friend had passed away.

With his family at his side through his long recovery, from walking to speaking, he now finds himself back on the battle field.

Tony had been trying to reach me for a couple of weeks but with my business travels and other commitments I have been tied down and felt I would just catch up with him later. Later we finally chat and that's when he started talking. He seemed frightened to let the words come out, he seemed unsure and I could sense great fear.

Before the words came out of his mouth I was just thinking about his beautiful kids and his new-born child and how he cherished them and his wife so much.

So, deep down inside I was hoping that his news was not bad and that there was no way he would have any bad news, especially after one of his family members had just passed away a few days earlier.

Life is all I could say after Tony told me the news. Life is precious and some of us take it with little value. Life is amazing when we live it to the fullest, life is what we all have to cherish because we never know when our time will come to an end.

My friend has been diagnosed with leukaemia. He was playing basketball and had got injured. With his knee swollen he went to the hospital to get it checked out, to have some tests done to make sure there was nothing wrong with the ligaments. When the doctors found nothing they were still a little concerned as to why he had so much swelling in the knee. This is when they took more tests and discovered that he had leukaemia.

Tony had been realising he had been losing weight but thought it was from stress from the new-born baby and other personal challenges, but never dreamed that he had cancer.

I share this story because as we sit around thinking we are having some bad days we should always remember that there are others out there with a greater struggle.

Tony has really shocked me and brought tears to my eyes. Just when I thought he had gone through enough in his life, he is presented with this.

When I asked him how he was doing, all he said was: "Well David, people say when it rains it pours and all I could do at this time is wait for the sun to come back out."

So to my friend I want to say stay strong and I wish you well. I will be in your corner through this battle and hope that you realise you have a great supporting cast that will be there for you. Understand this hurdle does not and will not take away what a great person you are.

Until Next time!