Category: News and Views
Hi, all. Lately, Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards, has been getting a lot of news coverage because she has cancer that's spread to her bones. I have a lot of mixed feelings. The one thing I'm sure of is that I feel bad for Mrs. Edwards, because cancer is a terrible disease that no one deserves to get. She will definitely have my thoughts and prayers.
But I have to admit, I get annoyed when celebrities get all this coverage, just because they have cancer. Thousands of people in the world get diagnosed with cancer every day, and it's just as shattering to them and their families. In some cases, it's more shattering to the common person, who may not have money to pay for expensive drugs, hospitalizations, and so forth. You can bet that couples like the Edwards aren't hurting that much financially, even if the emotional and physical pain is hard. So, why should these celebrities get press coverage, just because they've been diagnosed with a disease that anyone can get, regardless of age, race, gender, and so on?
The only advantage I can see to all the media coverage is that it brings cancer into the spotlight. Celebrities can push for more research to lead to a cure, can lend money to it, and other things.
Have any of you ever had thoughts like these? Just curious.
We shouldn't be surprised that a celebrity getting cancer gets a lot of press. I think the celebrity mania in this country is rediculous overall. I mean if completely talentless air heads like Paris Hilton and Britany Spears can get daily pres coverage for partying, then why shouldn't something important like cancer be covered.
I do agree that these people certainly have more resources than the average American an can pay for experimental and expensive treatments if they want to. I also think that it can bring awareness which is a good thing. For example, when Dana Reeves died of lung cancer, it helped publicize that non smokers can still die from that disease.
The first thought that went through my head was like yours. Why is she getting coverage, my grandma has cancer right now and she's not on tv. Second though, is that the reason they are talking about it so much on tv is for the election. I know it's a ways off and stuff but they are wanting to get sympothy and maybe more people will vote for him. Those are just my thoughts. I know that sounds totally wrong, but politians are just totally wrong in all ways.
Agreed, Holly. Becky, I'm not surprised that a celebrity gets so much coverage, it just annoys me sometimes.