These days, politics and cancer seem to go hand in hand. In February, United States Representative Charles Norwood, from Augusta, Georgia, died of lung cancer. In March, Virginia Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis revealed the breast cancer she fought in 2005 had recurred. A few days ago Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, shared that her own breast cancer, originally diagnosed in 2004, has relocated to her bones.

United States Press secretary Tony Snow is a colon cancer survivor. Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani is a prostate cancer survivor. Candidate John McCain has had three bouts with melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Bob Dole, now 83, was a cancer survivor at age 73 when he ran for the White House as the 1996 Republican presidential nominee against President Clinton. And the 2004 Democratic nominee, John Kerry, had prostate cancer surgery in 2003.

If I did more research, I bet I'd turn up a whole slew of other politicians who have received a direct hit from cancer. But that's not necessary. I think what I'm trying to demonstrate is already clear.

Take any sector of society and cancer will somehow be woven into the lives of those who define the population. Athletes and cancer. Celebrities and cancer. Musicians and cancer. Kids and cancer. Young moms and cancer. Men and cancer. Politicians and cancer.

This brings me to my next point -- cancer is widespread, so widespread it surfaces over and over again within any given group of people. This makes me sad. But this infiltration of the disease also means none of us is alone. And as a woman with cancer; a young mom with cancer; a wife, a daughter, a sister with cancer; and a writer with cancer, this makes me feel comforted, supported, and utterly strong.

I'm Too Young For This! (i2y) is a recently launched portal for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Featured i2y resources and support services include survivor spa retreats, online forums and blogs, social networking, camping excursions, fertility education, peer counseling, and financial scholarships.

"The i2y website is primed to become a premiere online resource for AYAs with cancer by eliminating the stress and hassle of navigating through thousands of search engine results," said Matthew Zachary, founder and executive director of Steps For Living and an 11-year young adult survivor of pediatric brain cancer. "Our goal to make I'm Too Young For This! the first place adolescents and young adults with cancer think of to go when in search of credible, targeted support programs, tools and services."

"This website is just what the doctor ordered. Now, with the click of a mouse, they can instantly connect with a universe of others just like them." Doug Ulman, Chief Mission Officer for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and a 10-year young adult survivor says, "We are pleased that Steps For Living is dedicated to making a difference in cancer advocacy for this community."

To raise awareness for the i2y organization, the AYA Steps For Living musician/cancer survivors have released a 21-track benefit CD featuring their original songs and music. You can listen to the playlist here. Included in the album is an i2y online resource guide.

The tagline of i2y reads: Got Cancer? Under 40? Sucks, huh? Get Busy Living. Indeed, if you are between the ages of 15-39, i2y is a destination meant just for you. If you are a caregiver or friend of a teen or young adult who is facing the challenges of cancer survivorship, let them know about i2y. This is a phenomenal group of artists, musicians, writers and photographers who, as young adult cancer survivors, got busy living. Visit I'm Too Young For This! to learn more.

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.

I'm not sure it matters what color computer hard drives come in. What does matter is that the Seagate Pocket Hard Drive has partnered with one of the leading breast cancer foundations -- the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. And to signify this partnership, Seagate has chosen the power of one color that really does matter when it comes to breast cancer causes. Pink.

Ten percent of the price of this 6-Gbyte drive will go to the Komen Foundation. Seagate, also a sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure in San Francisco, reports that the drive comes preloaded with songs and videos from popular musicians -- like Joan Jett, Stefy, Toby Lightman, and more. The hard drive will be sold through Amazon.com and Buy.com for an estimated $109.

Teenager Abraham Cherrix made national headlines recently with a legal battle that earned him the right to fight cancer on his own terms. Cherrix, 16, who chose to treat his disease with alternative treatments after traditional therapy failed to cure him of Hodgkin's disease, was told by the courts that his choice was not acceptable -- that he must undergo higher doses of chemotherapy in combination with radiation and followed by stem cell transplant. Cherrix ended up a winner in court and is currently receiving the therapy of his choice. But despite the legal win, Cherrix and his family are losing financially.

The Cherrix family owns a kayak company in Virginia, and spring and summer are peak seasons. Since the family had to close shop on many occasions due to court appearances, profits suffered. So on Sunday afternoon, local musicians headlined a fundraising concert -- billed as Voices for Choices -- to help with medical and court costs. Cherrix could not attend -- he's in the midst of treatment in Mississippi -- but the show went on. And while the money raised is not enough to cover all outstanding bills, it is enough to remind the family of all the caring people in the world.

Reports from family indicate Cherrix is doing well with treatment and that his tumor is shrinking. If he continues to make progress, he may be able to return home soon -- so he can thank those whose support is so much more than money can buy.

Indie Music For Life, a non-profit organization working to raise money for cancer research and music therapy programs, released its 2006 compilation CD that includes 18 artists that sells for $10 dollars. Indie Music For Life has the slogan Fighting Cancer One Song At A Time and they reach their goals by producing compilation CDs working with independent singer songwriters that donate songs for the cause. They also organize benefit concerts with the help of Indie artists from around the US.  Some of the artists also sell the compilations at their own personal shows to increase visibility of the organization and the work it is trying to do.

Indie Music For Life is organizing a new project for children cancer patients in the hopes of getting many CDs in the hands of children going through cancer for free in an effort to add music as part of their therapy. Submissions for children's songs are being taken and reviewed and informational packets on music as therapy are being put together. Indie Music For Life is taking tax deductible donations for this project as well as others on their website.

You can purchase compilation CDs from 2004, 2005, and 2006 as well as other items to help raise money for cancer research by visiting their website at http://www.indiemusicforlife.org.  "What better way to do your part in fighting this disease is there, than to listen to music and help raise money for cancer research and other programs like the children's music therapy program" said Cori Lynn, Vice President of Indie Music For Life,  who is organizing and setting up volunteers for the children's music therapy program.

According to a recent American Cancer Society survey, less than ten percent of Americans know that being overweight -- and obesity -- is a risk factor for cancer. Of those polled, 83 percent could tell you that being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease, and 57 percent could tell you that obesity puts you at greater risk for diabetes, but only eight percent believed that being overweight and obesity increases your risk for developing cancer.

Nearly 20 percent knew their body mass index score, almost 40 percent knew their cholesterol number, 63 percent knew their blood type and interestingly, 65 percent knew the number of judges on Fox's American Idol. What does this say? That the television show, American Idol does a better job of getting people's attention. There's a lesson in here somewhere for the organizations trying to raise awareness about cancer and cancer prevention.