Friday, January 06, 2006

Two More Faces of Lung Cancer

Many of you probably heard that Lou Rawls died today from lung cancer. He was 72 years old.

The Chicago-born singer and philanthropist died at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he’d been hospitalized for lung and brain cancer since last month. His wife Nina was at his bedside when he died. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 and brain cancer in 2005, Rawls stayed optomistic; a post on his Web site said “don’t count me out.”

Rawls told Shefrin he quit smoking 35 to 40 years ago.

Asked about reports Rawls tried to treat his cancer holistically, Shefrin said: "He did try alternative methods. He used traditional and alternative methods."

Along with his wife, Rawls is survived by four children: Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Smith and Aiden Rawls.

I also read that Bob McLeod, a photographer in San Francisco also died from lung cancer at the age of 59. I am pretty sure I have heard his name before, living in the area.

Bob McLeod, a San Francisco newspaperman for four decades and a guy with the ability to make everyone smile, died early Tuesday of lung cancer at his Antioch home. He was 59.

A few days ago, only eight months after his diagnosis, Mr. McLeod had to have a hospital bed moved into the bedroom as hospice care took over. Even then, McLeod saw the bright side, playing with the bed's remote as it zigged him up and down.

"I believe he died with his finger on the remote control on the bed," his wife said.

In addition to his wife of 25 years and his brother, Mr. McLeod is survived by his sister, Patricia Perez of South San Francisco.

This disease makes me so angry. Two more gifted and talented people were taken from their families because of this terrible disease. No one deserves lung cancer.

Posted by Lynda :: 11:48 PM :: 0 people are more aware ---------------------------------------