In part 4 of our 4-part series in honor of National Childhood Cancer month, Lu Sipos shows how teamwork is key for fighting cancer and being the kind of person we all should be.

I became a parent Jan. 1, 2002. Eleven months later, instead of sharing our first ''Merry Christmas,'' my husband and I heard the words ''malignant tumor'' and our son, Gabriel's, name together in a sentence for the very first time. On that day I gave up my profession as a gymnastic coach and moved from the sidelines into the stands. I gave up control of my son's life to a team of doctors and took up the roll of keen observer and fervent advocate.

I have been reflecting about sports a lot lately and on my life pre- and post-cancer. It may be the build up to the next Summer Olympics that brought it on, or my new found status as a soccer Mom. I have been involved in gymnastics for most of my life as both competitor and coach, but my family has played a game where the stakes are much higher, and teamwork has taken on a whole new meaning. To ''chemo'' parents, following strict regimens, discipline and commitment are a part of daily life.

Athletes also know that to succeed those words must become your credo. Patience and planning are important in both worlds. For the athlete, they are part of a strategy for gold. For the chemo parents, they are a necessity as we spend our lives waiting for doctors, for test results and silently watching for signs that may indicate relapse.

We plan diligently. To take a simple trip, we must look at treatment schedules, low blood counts and scout out ''just in case'' hospitals. For sportsmen, hard work makes the prize that much sweeter; for our team, perseverance is not a given choice. If you relapse, you just start over, ground zero, no head starts or handicaps.

Our team is also non-discriminatory, and no one is ever benched. Cancer takes no account of color, creed or social standing; there is no advantage to attending a good school or receiving good grades. Watching our children together in clinic is truly a joy. Something magical happens to children undergoing chemotherapy. They develop incredible empathy, and even the youngest of children seem to understand that friends should be respected and treasured.

Teamwork finds its true meaning when the goal is your child's survival.

Sports remain a gift for the able bodied and are extremely valuable, but we must try to see them as part of a bigger picture. Let's use them as a tool to make our children better adults. Teach children to enjoy physical activity, learn goal-setting and understand the benefits of teamwork but remember to keep your perspective.

Take it from an old chemo mom: Whether or not your child makes the soccer select team or takes first place at state is not a life or death issue. Through cancer, I have learned the true worth of my child, and every child.

Gabriel had cancer, but it could easily have been any other disability or disease. I realize he was only a heartbeat away from being any other child on this planet. Next time you see a child with a disability, please don't look away; give her a smile and say ''Hi.'' Look past her disability and save your pity, see her for the blessing she really is. We can teach our children to view everyone as equal, that being a lesser athlete or scholar does not make you a lesser person.

My goal as a parent is not to see Gabriel with a gold medal around his neck, but to see him stop to offer a helping hand to a fellow teammate. On that day, I know that I have fulfilled my job as a parent: to raise a caring, empathic human being who values friendship, commitment, dedication and life over a symbol for victory.

In honor of Gabe's battle, my family started a non profit dedicated to educate and assist families facing childhood cancer. During September, childhood cancer month, we ask that you take a minute to visit our website to read about ways you can reach out to help families in crisis.

To join the growing advocacy movement supporting childhood cancer you can also visit the CureSearch website.

Also in this Series:

Part One: Gabe's My Heart
Part Two: Childhood Cancer Survival Story
Part Three: The Need for Marrow

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