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Celebrities

How the Cancer Community has Benefited from Social Media

by The Knowme on January 11, 2010

While cancer is certainly not a new disease, the new generation of tech savvy volunteers building fund raising, forums and awareness for cancer research is. With over 320 million Facebook profiles, 18 million Twitter users, and 35 million LinkedIn professionals, you can’t deny the power of spreading a message through online social networks. Here are some of the best examples to date:


#BlameDrewsCancer & #BlameEthansCancer

Drew Olanoff was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2009 and decided to publicly challenge the social media community to help find a cure to cancer. His current effort, using the hashtag on Twitter #blamedrewscancer, is currently used as an excuse for anything that goes wrong for Drew’s followers on a day-to-day basis. Drew’s goal is to get sponsorship for each tweet using the hashtag for $1/ tweet.

Ethan Zohn, a reality TV star from the CBS show Survivor  has joined Drew’s fundraising efforts. Together, Drew and Ethan have generated over 35,000 blame tweets- with topics varying from medical issues to computer malfunctions and potty training problems.

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Ted Kennedy Remembered: Liberal Lion of the Senate

Celebrities
tedkennedy-older

Sen. Ted Kennedy

Edward Moore Kennedy, better known as Teddy Kennedy was born on February 22, 1932, the youngest of Joseph and Rose Kennedy’s nine children.  Teddy was first diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008 after having a seizure and battled it for a year before it claimed his life at age 77.   Teddy was no stranger to cancer as his son was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 12,  and his sister-in-law Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis lost her life to cancer in 1994.

Ted Kennedy w/ Ronald Reagan

Ted Kennedy w/ Ronald Reagan

It’s not a secret that he endured a great deal of family tragedy over the years; however Teddy had a memorable career as a Senator .  He wrote more than 300 bills that were enacted into law and supported important initiatives including equal rights, health care reform and working wages.  Also, the name “liberal lion of the Senate” was earned from his long history of public service. In August 2009, Teddy’s daughter Kara Kennedy accepted President Obama’s “Presidential Medal of Freedom” award for her father. At the time of his death, Teddy was the second most senior member of the Senate and was serving his eighth full term.

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Incredible Dance Routine on the Impact of Breast Cancer

Celebrities

It can be hard to put into words the impact breast cancer has had on so many.  With that said, Tyce Diorio, a choreographer from So You Think You Can Dance put together a powerful dance piece displaying the impact it’s had on him.  It’s incredibly touching, and dancers Melissa and Ade performed it beautifully commanding your attention to this very hard-hitting topic. Enjoy! (…and don’t forget your tissues)

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Phil Mickelson’s Mom Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Celebrities

The past couple of months have been rough for pro golfer Phil Mickelson and his family. As of earlier this week bad news has struck again, not only has Mickelson’s wife Amy been diagnosed with breast cancer, Mickelson’s mother, Mary, has been diagnosed with breast cancer as well.

photo-from-mickelsons-official-website_amy-phil-mickelson_rydercup-2008According to the Examiner, “Phil’s sister Tina reported the news to the San Diego Union-Tribune.  Tina told the paper that she wished for the news of her mother to be made known so that Mary could receive the same prayers and support that Amy did from the players and fans of the PGA Tour.”

She is reported to have surgery at the same hospital, Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer in Houston, where Mickelson’s wife, Amy, had surgery last week.  Amy has had positive reports after her surgery a couple weeks ago and is currently undergoing treatment.

Mary Mickelson, who still lives with her husband Phil Sr., in the same San Diego house where they raised their three children, was honored in 1998 as “Mother of the Year” by the San Diego chapter of the March of Dimes. She said at the time, “I don’t know if I’ve done anything extra than other mothers. We’ve always been involved and have just been there,” which has been reported by the Daily News.

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“Charlie’s Angel” Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62

Celebrities

Farrah Fawcett, 62, lost her battle with anal cancer today, Thursday June 25farrah-fawcett-hair, 2009. Diagnosed in 2006, Fawcett spent the last 3 years fighting for her life with both conventional and alternative treatments.

Fawcett was known as a high-spirited 70’s icon with hair that most women have tried tirelessly to attain. She has been recognized for her roles in “The Burning Bed”, “The Guardian” and of course the notorious “Charlie’s Angels”. MSNBC recently released a heart wrenching documentary that portrayed the late actress’s struggle while fighting cancer. It showed her with an indescribable admiration for life and a strength that can never be forgotten. Today Fawcett is herself an angel.

Unfortunately, her cancer took a turn for the worse; however, Fawcett died in the presence of those who loved her. A “Barbara Walters Special” with Ryan O’Neal, her long time partner and others close to Fawcett was scheduled to air Friday at 10 p.m. but has been moved to tonight at 10, according to a report in New York’s Daily News.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Fawcett’s family. Wishing them strength during this difficult time.

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