October 6, 2011

RIP Steve Jobs (or, cancer sucks)

Yesterday, Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, died.

Hearing this news really upset me. Not just because of the effect he has had on my life (my household has an iPad, iPod Touch, iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle) and the lives of millions. But because he died of cancer.

Cancer is an equal opportunity killer. My father-in-law died young from pancreatic cancer, the same kind of cancer that killed Steve Jobs, as well as Patrick Swayze. Millions of people get diagnosed with cancer each year; some survive, some lose their battles.

But here's the thing---who had better access to treatment than Steve Jobs? He was a billionaire, and could easily afford the best health care, regardless of where it was in the world. I had the same reaction back in 1998 when Linda McCartney died from breast cancer. It shook me to the core that someone like Linda, who could easily afford the best doctors and treatments, lost her battle.

Cancer doesn't care how much money you have. It doesn't discriminate between races, religion, economic class, marital status or sexual orientation.

I hate it.

3 comments:

  1. I felt the same way at the news. I was really, really sad. And you are right, cancer doesn't discriminate. I felt that way when Susan from Great Balancing Act got cancer--someone so young, healthy, a personal trainer for God's sake! How does SHE have cancer? And a few months ago my coworker lost her battle with uterine cancer. It was devastating. I feel like someone vibrant and full of life was taken from the world. I just don't understand. :(

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  2. I'm sorry about your friend,Lisa. :(

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  3. A: Eff Cancer.

    B: I am very proud of you, SM, for the LBM.

    C: I lerve how each time I show a certain someone of a marathon milestone, that person says, "Who is SHE to think she can run?! Who IS she?"

    I know who she is.

    I usually simply counter with a stink-eye, and an "Indeed. Please tell me more."

    And THAT is for the psyche; not dishing...

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