NIle Rodgers Fights Cancer

As he recently divulged on his own blog, Nile Rodgers was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of October and has already undergone surgery to remove the malignancy. Rodgers, co-founder of Chic, famously composed "Le Freak" after being denied entry into New York's Studio 54, and went on to produce a long list of pop icons, including Diana Ross, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Sister Sledge, Madonna, and many others. He's active on Facebook and Twitter with health updates and other news, so send him some love. We're sure he'll appreciate the positive thoughts. LINK

RIP Guru of Gang Starr

Gang Starr's Guru, who played a significant role in New York's underground rap scene in the 90s, has died of cancer-related complications. He was 43. Via: MTV News, Via: Boingboing, Via: Youtube

Meg Brown Speaker/Author Cancer Survivor

Meg Brown shared her amazing story of surviving cancer. LINK: Youtube

Cancer Survivor Keeps Climbing

Sean Swarner, an improbable cancer survivor, brings a message of hope and commiseration to cancer patients in Jakarta. LINK

Drew Blames Cancer, Beats Cancer

Drew Olanoff, who created the site "Blame Drew's Cancer" (where citizens can blame Olanoff's cancer for their problems) skyrocketed to techno-stardom when Drew Carey offered him $100,000 for his @drew Twitter handle. Afterwards, Carey offered to match up to 1 million dollars in donations to the LiveStrong Foundation, Lance Armstrong's cancer research org.

Today, Olanoff announced that he had his final chemo today and beat cancer. See the video: LINK, Via: Youtube

Parents share diary of child’s cancer battle

When 5-year-old Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer, she began hiding hundreds of little love notes around the house for her parents to find after she was gone. Here’s the story:

Just before her sixth birthday, Elena Desserich (right) was diagnosed with brain cancer and given 135 days to live. She lived 255 days, passing away in 2007. After her death, Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith, found hundreds of notes from Elena hidden around the house — in between CD cases, between bookshelves, in dresser drawers, in backpacks…. LINK

"It just felt like a little hug from her, like she was telling us she was looking over us" LINK

Link to story (book excerpt) over at Today | The Love Notes

See Elena Desserich's notes

Patrick Swayze Loses His Battle With Cancer at 57

Patrick Swayze, the hunky actor who danced his way into viewers' hearts with "Dirty Dancing" and then broke them with "Ghost," died Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57. "Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," said a statement released Monday evening by his publicist, Annett Wolf. LINK

"Ghost final scene Patrick Swayze Demi Moore" LINK: Youtube

Beastie Boys' MCA Tells Fans He Has Cancer via Youtube

Adam Yauch, a.k.a. MCA, announced that he has throat cancer in a YouTube email to fans today. The band is cancelling some of their upcoming shows, but fortunately, the impending surgery and radiation are not expected to affect his voice. Speedy recovery, sir. LINK, Video Link: Youtube

Farrah Fawcett Dies At 62

Farrah Fawcett's trademarks as a sex symbol and 1970s TV star in "Charlie's Angels."

But as her life drew to a close, she captivated the public in a far different way: as a cancer patient who fought for, then surrendered, her treasured privacy to document her struggle with the disease and inspire others.

Fawcett, 62, died Thursday morning at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, nearly three years after being diagnosed with anal cancer. Ryan O'Neal, the longtime companion who returned to her side when she became ill, was with her.

"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," O'Neal said. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world." LINK

Farrah Fawcett: A Life In Pictures

Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Dies

Posted May 7th 2009 8:54AM by TMZ Staff

Ean Evans, the bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died after a long battle with cancer.

It's the second death in the storied band this year. In January, Billy Powell, the former keyboardist, also died. LINK

In 1977 three band members died in a plane crash.

See Also:

*Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Dies*