Sexy. Seductive. Super-intelligent. All aptly describe Sharon Stone. Another is sportswoman, as Stone is an avid golfer. During a recent interview with Golf for Women, she shared a story about her father, also an avid golfer, surviving esophageal cancer by playing golf.

Given three months to live, her father was able to play through his chemotherapy and radiation treatments because of specially-built clubs designed by the golf equipment company Callaway. A feeding tube inserted after surgery prevented him from being able to bend. Without the new clubs, he would not have been able to continue in a much-loved positive activity.

Around the same time, Rob Lowe's father was being treated for cancer with a new targeted drug therapy, Avastin, and they helped Stone obtain the same drug for her father. She attributes the game of golf and the help of her friend Lowe with saving her father's life.

Twenty-two operations later, when Stone's father had successfully beaten cancer, she called the Callaway company to let them know how much a part she believed the company had in her father's recovery. The woman who took the call began to cry because it was the one year anniversary of her own mother's death from cancer and Stone's call lifted her spirits that something the company had done might have helped someone survive cancer.

For many golfers, golf is more than a sport. "Golf teaches you about life, about humanity, about things that will make you a better person," explains Stone. At the end of the article, Stone offers this advice, "Your life is a book; every page you write, you carry with you. You don't get to tear the pages out and throw them away. So write wisely. It doesn't matter what others write, ever, ever, ever. They don't know you at all. But what you write is indelible." Spirited. Insightful. Centered. All Sharon Stone.

Sharon Shakes It Up, Hollywood's A-list femme fatale has strong opinions about everything--including golf, is the Golf for Women cover story in the January/February 2007 issue. The interview has been published online here.

On Darren Clarke's blog, he states, that in case you missed the BBC interview, he is quitting golf to go home to support and care for his wife who is battling breast cancer. Heather, his wife, is struggling a lot these days against a cancer attempting to defeat her.

"There are more important things in my life than golf and it's now time for me to be at home to continue helping Heather with her battle."

Heather has been battling breast cancer that has spread to her bones and liver. They have two sons, and while Clarke is a competitive athlete, his first priorities and heart are with his wife.

At the beginning of the year, he wrote in his blog, "I'll sign off for this year by wishing every one of you a very prosperous, happy and successful 2006. These last 12 months have been difficult to say the least, but when I have been able to get out on the course there have been enough signs to convince me that there are good times ahead. It was no coincidence that my late flourish to the season coincided with an improvement in Heather's condition and hopefully that trend will continue next year."

Now Clarke says it is time to go home.

08.13.2006 UPDATE: Darren Clarke has lost wife after long struggle with breast cancer.

Stopped by Darren Clarke's blog today and read that he has donated the $1,840 dollar prize from his Shot of the Month award to cancer charity and will begin an online auction for the trophy that he received with it to raise additional money for cancer charity.

Clarke posted, "It really is a worthwhile cause and a superb trophy so here is a chance for a generous benefactor to help us fight this terrible disease by winning our auction."

Clarke's wife, Heather, has been battling breast cancer that has spread to her bones and liver. They have two sons, and while Clarke is a competitive athlete, his first priorities and heart are with his wife, as she struggles with ongoing cancer treatments.

When Tiger Woods was worried during his late father's struggle with prostate cancer, Clarke was one of the people Woods spent time with, as both understood how the other felt.

If you are interested in bidding on the trophy, Clarke said he will be posting information about it shortly.

08.13.2006 UPDATE: Darren Clarke has lost wife after long struggle with breast cancer.

7.21.2006 UPDATE: Darren Clarke: golf loses pro golfer due to cancer struggle.

It's a local story not likely to get worldwide coverage. If you don't live in the Cheshire Oaks area where the Blue Planet Aquarium is located, you will not be able to participate or watch others do it. But the Rosemere Cancer Foundation is hosting a shark dive to raise money for services provided to cancer patients at the Royal Preston Hospital -- and frankly I am impressed at the ingenuity in the ways people find to raise money for cancer charity.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go eyeball to eyeball with a 10 foot sand tiger shark, but it's his 250 teeth you want to keep an eye on," states Ron McAndrew, events coordinator for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation. Make a donation and you can swim with a shark. Oh mama! I'd give money not to end up swimming with the sharks. But if you lived in the area, and interested in helping donate to a good cause, would you dive at the chance to swim with a shark? Are you thinking about it? You have to admit, of all the cancer fundraisers we have talked about, this is one of the more fascinating ones.

Tiger, Auburn University Southeastern Raptor Center's 26-year-old golden eagle, has been diagnosed with skin cancer. According to veterinarians, the golden eagle's squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer tumor, located on her leg, has been removed several times and grows back just months after each operation. This type of cancer is rare in raptors making treatment and prognosis uncertain. If Tiger cannot make her pre-game flights this coming fall, there are other eagles who can fill in for her until she recovers. Tiger, also known as War Eagle VI, made her first pre-game flight in the fall of 2000. She has brought national attention to Auburn and wildlife conservation through those flights and her appearance at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The eagles are a part of the Raptor Center's wildlife conservation educational efforts, both in school classrooms and at the new Edgar B. Carter Amphitheater on the AU College of Veterinary Medicine campus.

Tiger Woods father, Earl Woods, has passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. Tiger Woods has issued a statement on his website that reads:

"I’m very saddened to share the news of my father’s passing at home early this morning. My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply. I’m overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, and I’m honored to continue his legacy of sharing and caring. Thank you to all who are sending condolences to my family and our Foundation. We are truly blessed to have so many who care during this difficult time."

Recently, Woods had announced he was taking time off to be with his father and would not be playing in any golf tournaments until at least June. At that time, Woods said, "It's kind of up in the air with the situation back home, so I don't know what's going to happen." From the beginning, Woods had been very clear in his priorities when it came to his father. Back in March, Woods remarked, "It puts things in perspective. You hit a bad shot, and you want to get upset with yourself because you know you can hit better shots, but in the whole scheme of things, it's just a golf shot." We are very saddened for his loss.

While attending his caddie Steve Williams wedding in New Zealand, Tiger Woods announced he is taking time off to be with his father and will not be playing in any golf tournaments until the U.S. Open in June. "It's kind of up in the air with the situation back home, so I don't know what's going to happen," said Woods. "I'm taking time off. I'm here for this event and for Steve, and to enjoy time off and be with my father, so I won't play for a while." Woods has been very clear in his priorities when it comes to his father, Earl Woods, who is battling prostate cancer. Back in March, Woods remarked, "It puts things in perspective. You hit a bad shot, and you want to get upset with yourself because you know you can hit better shots, but in the whole scheme of things, it's just a golf shot."

It is also reported that Darren Clarke withdrew from the Shell Houston Open after his first round to return home to be with Heather, his wife, who has been battling breast cancer for the last four years. Sadly, the cancer has spread to her bones and liver. They have two sons. He did not make any public comment. The PGA issued a statement on his behalf, letting everyone know he had left the tournament. In 2005, Clarke took much of the season off to be with his wife as she underwent chemotherapy.

According to the American Cancer Society, three out of four families will be touched by cancer -- but each time you hear news that another family is facing the tough circumstances of cancer never lessens the heartbreak felt for each one of them.

August 13, 2006 Update: Darren Clarke has lost wife after long struggle with breast cancer.
May 03. 2006 Update: Tiger Woods loses father to cancer.