Art Vs. Cancer
by Drew Kolar
Here's a serious thought for you: did you know that breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide? Did you also know that it is the sixth most common cause of death among women according to the Center for Disease Control? Well, I didn't. It wasn't until I found out that Bif Naked, one of my favorite Canadian rock stars, was diagnosed with breast cancer that I started to wonder.
Sure, some may say the diagnosis of a famous person is not the best way to bring an illness to light. However, short of a loved one being diagnosed with a disease, would you ever really think about it? A rock star, or actor/actress sensationalizing an illness is not a ploy for attention-I mean, they are sick after all-but perhaps one of the best ways to get people involved in a cause.
The arts, while fun and entertaining, can also inspire. When Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she still took the stage at the 2005 Grammies, ignoring the fact that she was bald from chemotherapy. Musicians seem to have a way of turning illnesses into inspiration not only for themselves, but for their fans (and even those who may not be fans). The fan reaction alone is enough to get anyone worked up about a cause.
Bif Naked's diagnosis brought this to light for me. Throughout the years, I have seen cancer diagnoses. My paternal grandpa died of some form of cancer-I was too young to know what-and my Aunt Shelli's grandma had breast cancer, but you would never know it since it was never really talked about. Lung cancer is also big in my family because many of them are smokers. But I never discussed it until Bif Naked, who inspired me musically and personally-who I had met just three times-was diagnosed with breast cancer.
First off, the thought of anyone you look up to dying is enough to make you worry, even without personally knowing or meeting the individual. Kylie Minogue fans surely had a major panic when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Tori Amos even covered Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" against her own unique, haunting piano melody as a tribute to the singer. We're living in some hard times, but sometimes it's hard to stop and think that others-even stars-suffer from things beyond their control.
One band is trying to help push the cause further. Simple Plan, a Canadian rock group, has filmed a charity video featuring cancer survivors including Bif Naked—in honor of lead singer Pierre Bouvier's brother, says Bif Naked's own blog. It's a small step, but it can only help spread awareness.
Remember those yellow "Livestrong" bracelets that were popular a of couple years back? Those are thanks to cyclist Lance Armstrong, who after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 started the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help those with cancer. Little did he know that his ex-girlfriend, Sheryl Crow, would also be diagnosed with (breast) cancer in 2006. Though not as outspoken about it as Armstrong, Crow has helped donate to cancer research through the iTunes download of her cover of the song "Not Fade Way."
Of course, cancer awareness should not solely stem from famous people who are afflicted. It is a great first step, but it should not be the only step. Cancer is surprisingly easy to find in your own life-almost as easy as it is to find in the media. Many friends and family members could probably share with you their cancer stories, but the next step beyond awareness is interest and concern. Find out who in your life has been affected. Help spread awareness. The future, after all, has to start somewhere-and apathy is definitely not the key to the future. Showing your support for all your loved ones, whether they live right next door, or in Hollywood-or Vancouver in Bif Naked's case-is perhaps the greatest gift you can give to cancer victims and survivors.
