Late last March fans of rock legend and Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler became concerned over speculation that Tyler had been diagnosed with throat cancer. Even though the remaining Rockin' The Joint show dates were cancelled, everyone connected to Tyler assured the public the rumors were false. Steven Tyler did not have cancer. He was suffering from strained vocal cords and needed a rest.

At the time, bassist Tom Hamilton explained the cancelled shows by saying, "You know Steven. Anything worth doing, to him, is worth overdoing," in reference to the fact that the band had been touring more now than it did 10 years ago.

Unfortunately, several months later it was announced that Hamilton had been diagnosed with cancer.

While the rumors had quieted concerning Tyler's health, now and then something new would come to our attention that made us wonder if he was okay. A reader wrote in that he had seen Tyler at the oncology clinic at a hospital he was visiting. We kept that under our hat.

Last night, Tyler appeared on Access Hollywood and for the first time, publicly discussed his health. No, he was not diagnosed with throat cancer -- but he had faced a serious health crisis and decided to speak about it. Tyler said he had been fighting a secret battle with a silent killer -- Hep C. Diagnosed three years ago, he was told by his doctor, Deepak Chopra's brother, that it was time he sought treatment. Tyler agreed to undergo a year of chemotherapy with interferon. He stated it nearly killed him but managed to stay with it and complete treatment. Tyler had Hep C for many years, and was asymptomatic, which is typical.

During the interview, Tyler said, "Hepatitis C is the one that, of all the people in this room, at least three have it and don't know it." He would like to raise awareness about Hep C and mentioned he might appear on Oprah for that purpose. "It's one of those things people don't speak about it, but it is treatable."

Almost 4 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the U.S. population, have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV); it is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. 80 percent of those with Hep C have no symptoms. Chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

If you missed the television Access Hollywood interview with Steven Tyler, the video segment of the program is available online here.

Internationally-known celebrity tattoo artist Mario Barth of Starlight Tattoo has announced a $1 million dollar challenge to local businesses and people in the northern New Jersey community to help raise money to benefit the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation for childhood cancers.

The Starlight Tattoo website has published statistics that in the last 20 years, the incidence of childhood cancer has grown nearly 27 percent, and scientists and researchers have been unable to account for the increase, or even why cancer in children occur. Barth, who is a father, says "Children are our future. We need to take care of them and nurture them, and show every child of every means that people really do care. Childhood should be a time of learning and fun, not pain and struggle. Every little bit helps."

Barth is a tattoo artist to celebrities including Lenny Kravitz, Jason Kid, members of the Wu Tang Clan, Nikki Six of Motley Crue, members of My Chemical Romance, members of Il Nino, radio host Wendy Williams, comedian Rich Voss and NFL Giants players Jermaine Taylor, Kendrick Allen and David Diehl.

The winner of over 200 international awards for innovative trends, Barth is a consultant and practitioner for Hackensack Cosmetic Surgeons for reconstructive micro pigmentation on cancer patients. He invented and created a series of special inks for use in reconstructive surgery to help patients adjust with a more natural dermal appearance after major operations. To learn more about Barth and Starlight Tattoo, and how to donate to a worthy cause in fighting childhood cancers, visit the Starlight Tattoo website.

The 2006 ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, held at Lost Canyons Golf Club in Simi Valley, California, in a benefit to raise money for The V Foundation cancer research grants, raised $1.1 million dollars this year.

George Bodenheimer, Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks and President, ESPN and ABC Sports announced this record-setting fundraising total at the event attended by celebrities such as National Basketball Association Hall of Famer Julius Dr. J Erving; National Football League Hall of Famer and ESPN commentator Joe Theismann; actor Haley Joel Osmont; 13-year-old golfing phenom Dakoda Dowd; Olympic skier Bode Miller; Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil; and Hercules TV-series star Kevin Sorbo.

The V Foundation was founded by the late NC State basketball coach ESPN broadcaster Jim Valvano and brother Nick Valvano, with a goal to fund cancer research. In the last five years, the foundation has raised over $50 million dollars -- money that has gone to fund cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation is involved in advocacy, education, fundraising and philanthropy.

You can watch the ESPY Golf Classic, which will be featured on ESPN Classic, August 13 at 11:00 a.m. ET.

In 2002, Pamela Anderson publicly announced she had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, a disease that can lead to liver cancer. She indicated she had contracted the Hepatitis C virus from sharing tattoo needles with her husband Tommy Lee. At the time, she decided to forego conventional medical treatments, relying instead on a healthy vegetarian diet. She credits avocados for her improved liver health.

I am going to venture out on a limb and guess that it has more to do with her overall diet, lifestyle and other factors -- not simply avocados. But there you go, that's what she said.

Anderson is probably best known for her activist activities on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, but she has also acted as the celebrity spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation and the Canadian Liver Foundation. Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to liver cancer. Hepatitis C is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needles. There is no cure.

Pete Wells, slide guitarist and one of the founders of the Australian power blues band Rose Tattoo, has lost his fight for life to prostate cancer. In 2002, when Wells was diagnosed with cancer, he was told he had six months to live. He outlived the original diagnosis, but ultimately, not the cancer.

Posted on the Rose Tattoo website, it reads, "We have to announce with much sadness, that Pete Wells has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. The good news is that Pete's music will live on for the inspiration of generations to come. Pete Wells, a great musician, a rock 'n' roll legend and most importantly, a good friend."

Rose Tattoo influenced bands that followed them, including Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue and L.A. Guns. Last September, Australian acts such as the Beasts of Bourbon, Paul Kelly and Tim Rogers staged benefit concerts for Wells in Sydney and Melbourne. For his many fans, this is a great loss.