Thinking about cancer: Turn out to help the fight

Cancer seems to be on my mind today. Its not that I want to think about the disease, its just that youd be hard pressed to find someone who hasnt been affected by it or isnt reminded of it on a daily basis.

The first thing this morning, my sister calls and tells me that Jeff Healey died of lung cancer. The 41-year-old Canadian musician was a favourite of mine in the late 80s and early 90s.

I remember buying the Jeff Healey Bands See the Light cassette (yes kids, we had cassettes back in the day) and then taking in his live show at the Misty Moon in Halifax; worming my way up front and spending the next hour mesmerized by his guitar skills and great voice. I also thought he was really cute.

After the show my friend and I waited around outside the club to catch a glimpse of him. He came out with a group of people, but we were too chicken to ask for an autograph. Hearing about him today made me feel really bad, but it also caused me think about all those songs like Angel Eyes and I Think I Love You Too Much that I knew all the lyrics to, and I couldnt help but smile.

You can look at the situation two ways: that Jeff Healey (blind since toddlerhood because of eye cancer) didnt have an easy life and should have been angry at the cards he was dealt, or that he was extremely blessed to be so talented, and to be able to touch so many people with his music in the short time that he had.

Im still on the fence about how I should feel.

And while we cant do anything about Jeff Healey, we can help someone we actually know who is dealing with this horrible disease. The Friends for Life Campaign, which has been working to support Angela Meaney in her fight against cancer, will hold a walk for her on Saturday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m. The walk will begin in the Wal-Mart parking lot and continue on for about an hour on a designated route, or the route of your choice. Sponsorship sheets are available at the Family and Childrens Services office on Prince Arthur Street, or you can make a donation.

We hope everyone will come out to show her how much they care!