Remembering Patrick Swayze and a Campaign to End Cancer

Note: I was about to publish a blog (below) on the potential impact of donating $5 to Stand Up To Cancer's new "March of Dimes-like" campaign when I got the heartbreaking news that Patrick Swayze had died. A year ago, when we did the Stand Up To Cancer televised event, Patrick opened the show. For all the star power that night -- the stunning musical collaborations, the participation of the presidential candidates and the profiles of breakthrough scientists, Patrick stole the show. He was the living embodiment of what it meant to bravely "stand up to cancer" and he was greeted with a standing ovation because of it. In the year that followed, Patrick continued fighting, not just for his own life, but on behalf of the more than 35,000 people who die from pancreatic cancer every year, and the 1,500 people who die from cancer every day. He spent a good part of the last year of his life as an advocate in the fight against cancer -- he penned a brilliant opinion piece in the Washington Post, and the determination he showed in his own battle no doubt provided inspiration to others in the fight. Last year Patrick defiantly posed the questions, "Will you stand with me? Will you stand up to cancer?" His words that day are ringing in my ears now, reminding me both of the bravery he demonstrated in facing cancer and the importance of finding a cure. It is up to all of us to stand up to this disease in honor of Patrick and everyone struggling with it.

My Blog: In 1916, the first great polio epidemic broke out in America. Twenty-two years later, a prominent entertainer (the great Eddie Cantor) went on the radio and asked everyone to donate 10¢ to help end polio, and thus, the March of Dimes was born. And then, in 1955, a vaccine brought about the end of a disease that terrified a nation. A lot of dimes helped make that happen.

Many things have changed over the past eighty years, but some things remain the same. We still have diseases that terrify us. As evidenced by the recent health care debate, we still wrestle with how to get important programs and research funded. And science is still an arduous process of trial and error. Nonetheless, we still have that feisty spirit that is determined to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in science and technology. We have the ability to make collaboration between doctors and scientists and institutions easier than ever. And while in the 30's and 40's, those passionate mothers and daughters and sons and uncles had to knock on every door in the neighborhood to raise a dime at a time, we can engage thousands by activating our own personal social networks and tapping into our microblogging skills.

In 1938, when the March of Dimes was formed, there was a sense that a cure for polio was possible. All that was needed was funding, dedication to the cause and time. Cancer, in that it is actually over 200 different diseases, is far more complex than polio. However, in the cancer community today, there is a prevailing consensus that a cure is possible and, god willing, relatively imminent.

All of us at Stand Up To Cancer are borrowing a page from the March of Dimes. We want anyone and everyone to donate just $5 to fund groundbreaking research and innovative dream team projects. The principle is the same: little donations make big differences.

The good news is instead of walking up and down the neighborhood with a tin can, we're asking you to reach your friends, your family, and your network by placing this widget featuring Meryl Streep on your Facebook page, your website or wherever you can. And please donate. Five bucks can make a world of difference. We don't know whose dime it was that ended polio, but we do know that happened because someone thought beyond "what good will ten cents (or five dollars) do?" The answer is a lot.

Donate and share the widget here.

Learn about the difference your five dollars will make.

Comments

[olivine]

Watch THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MONSANTO. And say "hello" to Obama's appointment as senior advisor to the FDA, Mr. Michael Taylor, former lobbyist and lawyer for Monsanto. When 1 out of every 90 babies born have a form of autism, and everyone and their mother has cancer, I'd say look at the elephant in the room.

[olivine]

What good is that going to do when there are potent carcinogens all around us? When one out of every 90 children born today will have a form of autism? When studies show that the GMO's in our food supply are causing damage at the cellular level?Why not address the issues of why people are getting sick in the first place ? Watch THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MONSANTO. Oh, and a big "HELLO" to Michael Taylor, Obama's appointment as senior advisor to the FDA, and former lawyer and lobbyist for Monsanto.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Laura, thanks for sharing. I used to work at Triad Artists when Patrick Swayze was a relative newbie. He was truly a class act and will be missed.
For a related story about him, you may want to read my Huff Post blog called Dirty Dancing in Hollywood; it's listed as a related blog at the end of your read. I'm sure you'll know the principal characters..
Best,
Charlotte Safavi

[astrongfellow]

Patrick Swayze was a wonderful talented strong artist and human being. I loved him and was captivated "Dirty Dancing", "Ghost", and "Road House". When I learned that the handsome talented artist was a chain smoker, I was astonished and I felt very heart-broken, for I knew that in the very near future, he'd be another beautiful person to suffer from the evil talons of big tobacco that has claimed many lives! As I listened to his voice becoming raspier and his skin becoming more leather-like, my heart sank. I sensed that his time was about up. This needless suffering and insanity must stop now! George Harrison of the much loved "Beatles" died from lung cancer that spread to his brain. My dear beloved uncle, Julius Wechter, of the "Baja Marimba Band", and Herb Alpert's partner and best friend in the "Tijuana Brass", also died from lung cancer that spread to his brain. Both artists were eulogized, but no one ever spoke about the insidious addiction that killed them. How many more talented
wonderful people have to die from this ugly insidious addiction? This will not stop until people finally say enough is enough and show their love and care for their loved ones and dear special friends in their life! Please visit and read my blog and join me and many others in the strong fight to raise awareness and end this horrifying nightmare!

http://smokenscreens.blogspot.com

Thank you,
Many Blessings,
Amanda

[oldschoololdsoul]

Like always, there's the official establishment disinfo, then there's the truth. Cancer is a business. Most standard medical treatment is toxic. And prevention is the best cure.

[smileatfear]

Prevention isn't the only cure. Babies get cancer. Toddlers get cancer. Non-smokers get lung cancer and non-drinkers get liver cancer. Sometimes sh*t happens. We do need the government to start forcing much stricter environmental regulation because toxins are killing us. We need to clean up our food supply because our food is becoming increasingly devoid of nutrients. And we need to exercise more. But we also need better, non-toxic treatments when cancer does strike. Patrick Swayze said it himself. We fight cancer like we're cavemen. Start pumping poisen into the body and see how much it can take and hope it kills the cancer before it kills you. There has to be a better way.