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.

From Blabbermouth: Eddie Van Halen has developed a cure for cancer. Yep. Is he telling anyone what the cure is? Nope. Did smoking cause his two bouts of oral cancer? According to Eddie Van Halen, smoking did not cause his cancer, and he still smokes. What caused his cancer? He speculates it might have been the metal guitar pick he used.

This story comes from Launch Radio Networks, who reported on the Sirius Satellite Radio conversation Eddie Van Halen had with Howard Stern last Friday. I didn't hear the radio program, as my tolerance for Stern is low, but I do regret I missed this conversation.

I feel as if some significant portion of the conversation got left out in the retelling of the event -- but if not -- what do you mean you have a cure for cancer but you are not telling anyone? Metal guitar pick? Eddie, please stop talking about cancer. I am a huge fan but this sounds utterly nonsensical.

Anyone else listen to this call-in from Eddie Van Halen to the Howard Stern Show?

Sadly, another cancer death has occurred -- this one caused by leukemia and ending the life of Arthur Lee. Lee, eccentric singer and guitarist with the 1960s rock band Love, died Thursday at the age of 61. His death was shocking to many who knew him because he had the ability to bounce back from just about everything. Leukemia was usually no exception. But recently, Lee, who was diagnosed this year with acute myeloid leukemia, was not faring well after three rounds of chemotherapy failed. And despite a bone marrow transplant using stem cells from an umbilical cord -- the first of its kind for an adult in Tennessee -- Lee could not overcome cancer.

Lee, a Memphis native, called himself "the first so-called black hippie." In 1965, he formed Love -- the first multiracial rock band of the psychedelic era -- and his groundbreaking albums featured a blend of folk rock, blues, and early punk. Lee is remembered for his hit singles My Little Red Book and Revelation, for influencing bands like Led Zeppelin and Echo, and for spending six years in prison during the 1990s for firing a pistol into the air.

After his release from prison in 2001, Lee formed a new version of Love and performed in Europe and North America. And then others -- like former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant -- performed for him this June in benefit concerts to raise money to help Lee with his medical bills.

Arthur Lee died in at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis -- with his wife Diane at his side.

I am wandering through the BC Cancer Foundation website to post on the upcoming Weekend to End Breast Cancer and I noticed The Underwear Affair annual fundraiser. Is it just me that has taken notice, but do some organizations just know how to make fundraising more fun than other organizations? You can ask people to donate money, but so many charities are asking for donations, and while each is a good cause, there is a certain burn-out factor and charity fatigue that can set in when people are constantly solicited for money. Why not offer an event that is unique and fun to participate in and age-related -- like The Underwear Affair, or a service in exchange for a donation like the college kids do in Odd Jobs Humanitarians?

The Underwear Affair was launched this year, and in the first year they raised over $500,000 for below the waist cancers -- that according to the organizers of this event state -- are the embarrassing to talk about cancers -- prostate, colorectal, ovarian, testicular, bladder, cervical, and uterine cancers. The Underwear Affair hosted a 10K Run/5K Walk, followed by live bands, DJs and a dance, pole dance lessons and the bedtime EXPOsed afterparty. A contest was held for the best underwear costumes at the party, drawings for two new Vespas and a trip for two to Honolulu, Hawaii.

What do you wear to The Underwear Affair 10K Run/5K Walk and EXPOsed afterparty? Well, you can wear whatever makes you comfortable -- which might be exercise clothing. But you are encouraged to have fun, and the event planners suggest anything from trashy lingerie to your favorite well-worn plaid robe. That's the point. The encouragement of fun in raising money for cancer research into cancers below the waist and using frivolity to destigmatize cancers that embarrass some people. Hats off to The Underwear Affair!