By: Amanda Bloye, FW Writer

As we observe celebrities on film, television
and through their music careers we forget that
these celebrities live, breathe, laugh and cry like
the rest of us. We think that because they have
the powers of fame and fortune on their side
they are invincible. Unfortunately, nothing is
further from the truth. When it comes to the
evil C-word, cancer, no one is invincible. Here
are a few celebs that have felt the devastating
blow of cancer, taken a pro-active approach and
can now be deemed survivors.

Christina Applegate
Few individuals would have thought that
the dim-witted seductress from the 90s sitcom
Married with Children would grow to become
one of the smartest, bravest and strongest
women Hollywood had ever seen. In July 2008,
Christina Applegate found herself in the spotlight
once again as she underwent a double mastectomy
after finding a lump in one of her breasts.
Although the news was
tragic, Applegate is
making the most of her
situation by starting a
foundation “to raise
money that will help
high-risk patients cover
the cost of an MRI
that may detect cancer
in even very dense
breasts,” according to
www.glamour.com.

Sheryl Crow
When songstress Sheryl Crow discovered
she had breast cancer in 2006 it couldn’t have
come at a worse time. Instead of hiding out
and pitying herself she got surgery which she
called “minimally invasive” and decided to take
a stand and reevaluate her life. Soon after she
was given the “all-clear” Crow realized that
she didn’t need a man in her life to fulfill her
dreams of having a family and adopted a baby
boy whom she named Wyatt. Crow is educating
others through awareness with her participation
in events such as September 5, 2008’s Stand up
to Cancer.

Cynthia Nixon
Known as the feisty redheaded Miranda
Hobbes on HBO’s Sex and the City, Cynthia
Nixon shocked the world when she announced
that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer
in 2006. The news came out in an interview
with Good Morning America in April 2008.
Nixon explained that she decided to hold off
on the announcement of her lumpectomy until
she had gone through her treatment. Nixon
also said she will become a spokesperson for the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Melissa Etheridge
One of the most publicized battles against
breast cancer was the one fought by Melissa
Etheridge. In October 2004 at the age of 43,
Etheridge announced to the world that she
had been diagnosed with breast cancer. After
undergoing chemotherapy and a lumpectomy
Etheridge is on her way to becoming cancer
free. At the 2005 Grammys, Etheridge showed
the world her strength when she performed on
stage singing Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart”
bald. She performed with the hope that her
strength would inspire someone at home going
through the same thing.

For more information on the fight against
cancer visit www.standup2cancer.org.