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Melissa Etheridge sings out for breast cancer awarenessMelissa Etheridge and her family have a lot to celebrate this year. Etheridge, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, has just past the critical five-year mark with no recurrence.
Of course, with cancer, nothing is absolutely certain. That’s why Breast Cancer Awareness month is so important — and why Etheridge is taking an active part. This year, she’s once again raising her voice — and raising money for research — as part of Hard Rock’s Pinktober initiative.
The campaign features parties and live music in Hard Rock hotels and cafés worldwide. A host of famous musicians are participating, from Joss Stone to Bonnie Tyler to The Bangles.
Tuesday, Etheridge performed “I Run For Life” on a customized pink Delta jet filled with flight attendants who also are breast cancer survivors.
Before takeoff, she talked to USA Today about the song and her experience with breast cancer.
Etheridge will be a guest on Regis & Kelly Monday to talk about the festivities and, hopefully, to sing her new song, “Only Love,” from the Fearless Love album to be released next spring.
A personal note: Breast cancer and I are bitter enemies. Ever since it took one of my favorite people a decade ago, I have often wondered why it still is allowed to exist in the world. Yes, I’m one of those angry women who suspect that if breast cancer were primarily a male disease, we’d have a cure by now. Being a part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is simple and rewarding. You can buy something cool at the Pinktober shop. You can donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure or The Caron Keating Foundation or The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. You can sign up to be a part of Dr. Susan Love’s Army of Women or walk in a Race for the Cure or Breast Cancer 3-Day event. You can click here to provide free mammograms. And whatever you do, take care of your tits. They make the world a nicer place. Submitted by on October 2, 2009 - 1:28pm. |
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OMG!
My brain just melted.... she looks fucking gorgeous. She is so talented... a great singer/songwriter... amazing entertainer... Sexy voice and she rocked the bald look! Bless her heart of gold... she is a true inspiration!
And I do not understand how come there aren't more "celebrities" representing this cause, there should be more. Sadly, it touches us in so many ways... a friend, a relative, a loved one...
Bravo for Melissa...
"It is easier to disintegrate an atom than human stupidity"-A. Einstein
She is fabulous
I love Melissa Etheridge for fighting for this cause. Her and so many other celebrities are amazing for showing their support that has personally affected them. I have been personally affected as well. On July 1st my mom was diagnosed and on July 2nd my grandma was diagnosed. After genetic testing we found that I have the gene and will eventually have it. So we NEED to find a cure for breast cancer!!!!!!!
Hope for Hooters! Find a cure for Breast Cancer.
<3 <3 Melissa you are an inspiration
I totally agree. Melissa is an awesome representative for this cause. I'm slightly freaking out about breast cancer as well. i hope they find a cure for it soon. There are many reasons it gets more funding for research. This includes the fact that breasts are a visual organ and more people notice them, there are more celebrities who are open about having breast cancer, it affects 1 in 8 women and there are no known causes for it.
There should be more awareness of it. If detected early before it spreads there is great chance of success and more awareness is required to make young women aware of it.
I love this video of Melissa's "I run for life" song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEZHISEL4lk&feature=PlayList&p=C273EF4D587053EA&index=3
Hooray, 5 years for Melissa!
Wow, hadn't realized it had been that long, that's great for her.
However, I was compelled to comment based on your statement "I’m one of those angry women who suspect that if breast cancer were primarily a male disease, we’d have a cure by now."
That is just not true. Unlike sentiments like "if men could get pregnant, abortion and contraception would be free and legal" which is probably true, the fight against breast cancer is not simply one of desire. NOBODY wants breast cancer to to affect even one person, but that doesn't mean we can magically make it go away. Breast cancer actually has had one of the highest increases in survival rate of cancers in recent years due in large part to the significant research funding it does get. In fact, it hasin some ways created a backlash as diseases that actually affect more people are are now much more deadly still get less funding and awareness. I think playing the zero-sum game is pointless, but still, breast cancer does have significant research and funding. Scientists are not magicians though, and even much simpler diseases like the flu do not have 100% survivability. Some people will always die of breast cancer, but luckily, if you have to get cancer, it's not the worst to get as your chances are pretty good of getting to that 5 year mark. I know that doesn't make it any easier for the ones who don't make it.
In fact, you are much more likely to survive a breast cancer diagnosis than a prostate or testicular cancer diagnosis, which are diseases that affect ONLY men. If your angry blame was true, and all that was holding us back from "curing" breast cancer was misogynstic men, those diseases would have a "cure" and they clearly do not.
* "cure" is in quotation marks because the idea of one treatment that would eliminate breast cancer for all who have it is a pipe dream by those who don't really understand cancer or biology. Breast cancer is itself a diverse disease and what works for one person's cancer will not necessarily work for another's.
Woo!
to that entire comment, It's pretty much my sentiment exactly.
(Many kudos to Melissa Etheridge included)
As a cancer patient twice over, I was rather irked by that statement, so thanks for that reply (as well as the "cure" explanation, I'd almost given up on anybody actually knowing that cancer can't be "cured").
Just to add one thing though, yes, it's not common, but men can also get breast cancer.
(I'm all for feminism, but come on, they haven't found miracle cures for ANY kind of cancer, y'know?)
"This is not a quote."
Point taken
Yes, research has yielded progress, thankfully. But as you said, we can't "magically make it go away." The fact is that today (according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation), one in eight women get breast cancer. Around the world, a woman dies from it every 75 seconds. It's still the leading cause of cancer-related death in women.
Detection and treatment are more effective than ever, but scientists are not content with that. I don't claim to "understand cancer or biology," but medical researchers certainly do -- and they are talking "cure." It's scientists who say that a cure is possible, but they haven't yet found the right process.
Perhaps my emotions got the better of me in the statement about men. To be honest, my more fundamental anger is that even with all of the money we raise for breast cancer research, we have not found a cure or, if you prefer this terminology, a method of prevention. I'm tired of friends and family having to deal with breast cancer. I'm even walking the 3-Day this year which, for an avowed couch potato like me, is somewhat radical.
Anyway, I appreciate your comment and do understand the point. Just know that I am not just mouthing off -- and am not alone in believing that a cure is possible.
she still rocks
melissa still rocks and great for her for reaching 5 yrs. she is still looking amazing.
being true oneself