All-Star Cincinnati Reds catcher Ed Bailey -- famous in the 1950s -- died of throat cancer on Friday, six months after he was diagnosed with the disease. He was 75.

Bailey, a five-time All-Star, started his baseball career with the Reds in 1953. He went on to hit 28 home runs for the team in 1956 and then went on to play for the Milwaukee Braves, the Chicago Cubs, and the California Angels. He played in his final game in 1966.

Bailey is survived by his wife, Betty, and four sons, Jack, Jeff, Joe, and Jim Bailey of Knoxville.

A reader left a comment the other day on the Cancer Blog post death by cancer dims outlook of promise, hope, survival. It was positive and supportive and inspiring -- and sad too. The reader shared that her mother passed away in February after a year-long battle with gallbladder cancer. She wrote that her mother handled her diagnosis, chemotherapy, transfusions, medications -- and her final days -- with true grace. And this is a big deal. Because there is not much information floating around on the topic of this cancer. So this woman didn't have much to cling to. Like I do. As a breast cancer survivor, I have mounds of resources at my disposal. I have books and magazines and websites and blogs that devote generous coverage to breast cancer. There are walks and runs and yard sales and fashion shows and other fundraisers that make breast cancer survivors the lucky recipients of extensive research and study. I see pink ribbons all over town and license plates on the roads and clothing and hats and even tennis shoes that promote breast cancer awareness. I could go on -- and on and on.

Gallbladder cancer is rare. So perhaps that's why there is not an abundance of information on the disease that has no known cause or test to detect its presence in the body. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 8,750 new cases of gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer (excluding bile ducts within the liver) will be diagnosed in 2006 in the United States. And about 3,260 people will die of these cancers in 2006. Of these new cases and deaths, about half are due to gallbladder cancer, which affects predominantly women and those who are older than 65. Diagnosis of this cancer is difficult because symptoms do not often surface until the late stages when aggressive treatment becomes necessary. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are typical treatment tools, along with palliative therapy to help control or reduce symptoms. There are also drugs currently under study in the areas of both targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

It's good to know that gallbladder cancer is rare -- and that it takes far fewer lives than breast cancer and other diseases -- but for the unfortunate ones who are diagnosed with this life-threatening illness, the lack of information and resources is a truly an unfortunate side effect.

One of my favorite bloggers and brightest lights in the cancer blogging community Keri, who is still running for a reason, and who blogs 500 Miles 2 Nowhere, has announced she will be blogging the Blogathon 24 hour marathon to raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

Starting July 29, and fueled by coffee, she will blog every 30 minutes for a total of 48 posts. Why is she doing it?

"Because my auntie and our dear friend and my neighbor from out in Kinnic and Jodi's mom and so damn many others are fighting. Kids and adults and too many. Doesn't it seem like there are more now than ever before?

And I'm so very thrilled the strides that are being made and I want to be involved in all of those future strides by raising the funds that will pay for the research that is going to find the cure."

Keri doesn't say this but she is also doing it because she is a delightfully spirited and passionately fun woman who is always up for an adventure in doing anything to fight and beat cancer. She runs and runs and runs for those who have been diagnosed with cancer for the purpose of raising money for the research that will bring a cure.

Keri has promised to post photos and plans to visit various locations as a traveling Blogathon marathon blogger. I will be there cheering her on and checking in as she blogs for a worthy cause. Keri is taking sponsorship donations through ACS Relay For Life. Go here if you would like to show your support.