It is no secret that our culture has a fascination with celebrities. In attempting to figure out exactly why, I have come to the conclusion it might be no more of a mystery other than they are people we all know in common. As human beings, we are naturally intrigued by other human beings. But if I try to talk to you about my neighbor, and you do not live in my neighborhood, you will have no idea who I am talking about or how to relate information I am sharing about that person because you have no point of reference. However, celebrities are people we all know of -- they become familiar in that we hear about them every day -- we see images of them every day in the news.

Before being diagnosed with breast cancer, a woman might not have paid much attention to breast cancer. Oh yes, the breast cancer awareness campaigns are raising awareness, but we do not really like to spent too much time dwelling on potentially life-threatening events unless we are compelled to do so -- usually with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Over at Silicon Valley Moms Blog, Tekla blogged the top ten things this group of moms have learned since they began blogging seven months ago in Moms boobs and other lessons learned. Interestingly, and unfortunately accurate, number six on the list is:

"6. If you talk about breast cancer, your blog stats go way down for days and days. Everyone knows it's something women need to deal with, but clearly no one wants to read about it."

And so, if you are newly-diagnosed with breast cancer, or know someone who is, and haven't spent much time focused on breast cancer before diagnosis, there are many women we all know in common who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and many of them as breast cancer survivors. In time, you will personally meet other breast cancer survivors and realize you are not alone and be inspired by their hope, strength, courage and companionship. Until then, you can read an extensive list of 100 famous women who have faced breast cancer down and gone on -- here.

Worldwide, and through the month of October, Hard Rock Cafes are hosting the Rocktoberfest to raise money for breast cancer research in finding a cancer cure. During Rocktoberfest, patrons can attend live music events featuring popular and up-and-coming female artists. This year The Go-Go's have joined in promoting breast cancer awareness and in raising research funds to find a cure.

In addition, Hard Rock International is offering Hard Rock's new and exclusive Limited Edition 2006 Breast Cancer Awareness Pin. 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. The pin features an acoustic guitar bearing the pink ribbon symbol for breast cancer, along with the message Stop Breast Cancer for Life. You can purchase a pin at any of the Hard Rock Cafes or online at the Hard Rock Cafe estore.

Rocktoberfest artists performing in U.S. cafes include Alexa Ray Joel, Toby Lightman, The Randies, The Duhks, Liz Berlin, the Thrusters and Slacktone. Overseas, performers include Melanie C, Bonnie Tyler and Keisha White.

To benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation, NBCF, Discovergirls is releasing a new CD, Catalyst18, featuring original pop, rock, and alternative songs from 18 female singer songwriters. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the breast cancer charity. Since 1998, Discovergirls has maintained an online portfolio for aspiring film actresses, recording artists, and fashion models. Discovergirls founder, David Selig, a 23-year cancer survivor, produced Catalyst18 to help fund research for a cancer cure.

The Discovergirls press release quotes Monica Moore, producer of ABC’s Good Morning America, as saying, “Clear Channel Communications believes that the artists on Catalyst18 are as talented as the icons routinely heard on commercial radio stations today, the only difference being that the Catalyst18 artists simply have not had the exposure of people like Cheryl Crow, Alanis Morrissette, or Melissa Etheridge." To learn more about the Catalyst18 CD, the female artists performing on it, and hear sound clips of the songs, visit the Catalyst18 website.

The big business of cancer is ... well ... really big business. Right now, in Chicago, academic and business leaders in the life sciences industry are convening at the four-day Biotechnology Industry Organization's annual convention, billed as the red-hot industry's information-packed extravaganza of networking and marketing. At the McCormick Place Convention Center, 33 states and 22 countries and regions are represented during business meetings, 200 panel discussion sessions, networking opportunities, luncheons, gala receptions, parties and 30-minute meetings that are a form of speed dating with potential commercial partners.

According to the reporter covering the event, the convention becomes an international media circus, with politicians showing up looking to gain support during election years, as well as groups of protesters taking issue with the use of biotechnology to alter the genes of humans, plants and animals.

There are pavilions set up with whiskey, wine, beer, and even an oxygen bar to entice a visitor's attention and create buzz during the convention. Actor Richard Roundtree, cancer survivor, spoke at the convention last year. Musical artists Patti LaBelle and Melissa Etheridge and golfer Arnold Palmer have appeared as speakers. This year, former President Bill Clinton and NBA legend Magic Johnson will be featured speakers. Quite a shindig, but there are millions and millions of dollars at stake. Medicine is big business -- very big business indeed. How this translates for the cancer patient can be worrisome, if treatments are motivated primarily by the competitive nature of commerce and big profit. A peek inside the convention is very revealing.

Sheryl Crow will resume the summer tour dates put on indefinite hold when she underwent breast cancer surgery last month. Featuring the Grammy nominated album, Wildflower, the tour begins June 12 at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis and ends July 8 with a stop at Boston's Fenway Park, where she opens for the Dave Matthews Band. Country artist Jack Ingram is set to open most of her shows.

Just weeks after breaking off an engagement with Lance Armstrong, Crow announced her breast cancer diagnosis. At the time, she underwent minimally-invasive breast cancer surgery. One week after the operation, Crow appeared at the Power Benefit in Beverly Hills sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue, where she watched as Melissa Etheridge, breast cancer survivor, was honored. Currently, she is undergoing radiation as a preventative breast cancer treatment.

In a letter to her fans, she writes, "I cannot begin to tell you how much your cards, messages, letters, flowers, and prayers have meant to me these last few weeks. Needless to say, this has been a really challenging time for me and as I have always said, I have the greatest, most generous fans in the world."

Concert dates can be found on Sheryl Crow's website. They include shows in the Midwest, South, Texas, Boston and Canada.

On March 1st, at Saks Fifth Avenue's Unforgettable Evening, Melissa Etheridge was honored by Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund, EIF's WCRF, with the 2006 Courage Award for her dedicated efforts in raising breast cancer awareness and on behalf of her unwavering support for cancer research and education. Since her breast cancer diagnosis in October 2004, Ms. Etheridge has served as a strong role model for women affected by breast cancer. This year's event was mc'd by Ellen DeGeneres, with a special performance by the GRAMMY-award winning artists The Black Eyed Peas.

Etheridge accepted the award by saying, "I wish you love, I wish you peace and light. Thank you all very much." DeGeneres, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, later took the stage, where she congratulated Etheridge for her honorary award.

The Women's Cancer Research Fund, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, was established by Honorary Chairs Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, along with co-founders Kelly Chapman Meyer, Anne Douglas, Quinn Ezralow, Marion Laurie, and Jamie Tisch. WCRF supports innovative research, education, and outreach directed at the development of more effective approaches to the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all women's cancer.

The purpose of awareness, education and fundraising campaigns about cancer is cancer prevention, and ultimately, a cancer cure. What we do not know can hurt us, and what we do not learn may hasten our death. Women celebrities who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and allow the public access to information about one of the most significantly personal and life-altering moments that can happen in a woman's life, raise public awareness, and funds, for cancer causes. Kylie Minogue, Melissa Etheridge, Anastacia, and most recently, Sheryl Crow, are women celebrities who have been public about their diagnosis of breast cancer. Each one of these women lend their celebrity status to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research, prevention and cure.

Anastacia, who enjoys worldwide popularity as a singer/songwriter, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, is a breast cancer survivor who is promoting breast cancer prevention and support for younger women diagnosed with breast cancer by establishing the Anastacia Fund within The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Her primary focus is encouraging women under 40 to go in for breast cancer screening, self-examination and mammograms, even when there is no family history of breast cancer. Anastacia believes it saved her life.

As a breast cancer survivor, Melissa Etheridge, diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2004, always believed she would win her battle with breast cancer. On Valentine's Day 2005, she celebrated the end of chemotherapy and radiation treatments by performing onstage at the Grammy Award show. Etheridge, a two-time Grammy winner, multi-platinum recording artist, mom, and breast cancer survivor, has released a greatest hits CD, "The Road Less Traveled," with a song dedicated to breast cancer survivors called "I Run for Life." She donates all record royalties from that song to breast cancer charities. The chorus lyrics from that song are:

"I run to hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife.
I run for you and me, my friend. I run for life."

Etheridge fans started a Pink Bracelet Fund to raise awareness and money for breast cancer, with all donations going to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Etheridge has always been a very active supporter of many good causes. The breast cancer community can expect Etheridge to be just as vocal and active in the cause for breast cancer awareness, education and research, because women like Etheridge, who stand up front, and live outloud, rock!