Celebrities with Cancer
We Americans, although the world’s standard for individuality, are a people focused on celebrity. Dancing with the Stars and American Idol consume us. Grocers sell more tabloids than milk. Cable channels run nonstop coverage of the latest Hollywood scandals. Personal problems of politicians make national headlines. Yet, the culture chasm that separates the rich and famous from the rest of us is not recognized by the diabolical intruder–cancer.
Cancer is the great equalizer with no respect for status, gender, class, or wealth. It does, however, tend to balance our humanity when we are reminded daily that we are all in this together. Nobody gets a pass. I just saw today that Farrah Fawcett is in the hospital comatose with probably only days to live. She suffered for several years through chemotherapy ultimately traveling around the world in search of a cure. Senator Ted Kennedy, a lifelong consumate and tireless public servant, is now virtually dependent on his caregivers for survival. His seizure at the inauguration dominated the news for hours. Patrick Swayze is said to have five weeks left to live. He mesmerized us in Dirty Dancing (maybe in a rerun for you thirty-somethings and younger). Hardly able to finish filming The Beast this year, he struggled to give us one last taste of his incredible artistry. Now it looks like he is ready to reprise his role in Ghost as his longest running hit. These have devoted their lives to our entertainment and enjoyment. We have rewarded them with our admiration and from our pocketbooks. Suddenly, almost surreally, there now seems to be no difference in celebrity and obscurity.
Cancer is awful, and it is equally awful for everyone. There is nothing good about cancer. But, something good can come from it, especially when celebrities have to reap its devastation. It gets the attention of others. My heart goes out to these I have mentioned. They are dealing with it like everyone else, but their pain is being shared by millions of their fans and admirers. This empathy has a positive impact on the awareness of how critical this battle is. Every reminder of the need to be a soldier in this war causes more people to consider enlisting. Perhaps unbeknown to those of Hollywood and Washington who become victims of this disease, their celebrity generates action and support for the cure in ways that you and I could not.
To Farrah, Ted, and Patrick, I pray for your strength and comfort. I also thank you for your influence that makes this valley of your lives a call to action for those of us whose lives you have touched.