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Patrick Swayze is hoping to kick-start the cancer fight in Congress.

The stricken star has penned a letter to legislators, pleading with them to increase funding for research into the disease—including helping find a cure for his own pancreatic cancer.

"With Congress about to decide how much money to include for medical research as part of the economic stimulus package, the time has come to take my personal fight to a larger stage," Swayze wrote in an open letter published in Sunday's Washington Post. "My message to our senators and representatives is simple: Vote for the maximum funding to let the National Institutes of Health fight cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. It's not only good for our nation's health; it's also good for our economic well-being."

The 56-year-old actor and other cancer fighters are seeking $10 billion, which would, he says, create more jobs for a worthy cause.

"When I was growing up in Texas, my family had a simple response for challenges like this: 'Stop talking about it, and do something about it,'" he wrote. "My hope is that some day, the words 'a cure' won't be followed by the words 'is impossible.'

E!

Dear Patrick Swayze

People die. Whether it's from cancer, AIDS, Heart Attack, or Natural Causes, people have to die.

Death is when the spirit falls asleep and will wake up to a Nightmare that they made from the last life or a Dream that overlaps all the dreams that you will ever have.

If you trust in God and have him in his heart, you will be sent to a place beyond your wildest dreams. It will be like Disney World times 1000, but if you don't put your heart into God, you will be sent to a place called the Inferno. It will be like Dante's Inferno, but 1000 times worse. Your friends won't even know that you are there and it's a nightmare that you can never get out of.

Death is part of life, someday we all have to die. From age 1 to 101.

Paul (MrCleveland)

Dear Patrick Swayze

People die. Whether it's from cancer, AIDS, Heart Attack, or Natural Causes, people have to die.

Death is when the spirit falls asleep and will wake up to a Nightmare that they made from the last life or a Dream that overlaps all the dreams that you will ever have.

If you trust in God and have him in his heart, you will be sent to a place beyond your wildest dreams. It will be like Disney World times 1000, but if you don't put your heart into God, you will be sent to a place called the Inferno. It will be like Dante's Inferno, but 1000 times worse. Your friends won't even know that you are there and it's a nightmare that you can never get out of.

Death is part of life, someday we all have to die. From age 1 to 101.

Paul (MrCleveland)

That's all fine and dandy, but I'm sure as you grow older, you'll see that dying at age 56 these days isn't fair - especially when it's something that CAN be prevented and CURED. Old age is a part of life and then you die yes, but with the intelligence God gave us, he's given us the power to combat these early deaths. Now it's just up to the government to cut the red tape, stop allowing drug companies and extremists in religious group to dictate what the medical community can do and we'd have a cure for most or all cancers in no time.

I think it's great that he is finding the strenght to do this and speak out for not just himself but millions of others who wish that they would put more money into doing research about cancer.

I think it's great that he is finding the strenght to do this and speak out for not just himself but millions of others who wish that they would put more money into doing research about cancer.


I totally agree! My first thought was just 'I hope he has enough time left to be able to make a difference'

His energy is absolutely incredible. Now that I've just begun chemo I see how it knocks the bejeepers out of you and for him to be working, getting treatments and wanting to do this now is just amazing.

Dear Patrick Swayze

People die. Whether it's from cancer, AIDS, Heart Attack, or Natural Causes, people have to die.

Death is when the spirit falls asleep and will wake up to a Nightmare that they made from the last life or a Dream that overlaps all the dreams that you will ever have.

If you trust in God and have him in his heart, you will be sent to a place beyond your wildest dreams. It will be like Disney World times 1000, but if you don't put your heart into God, you will be sent to a place called the Inferno. It will be like Dante's Inferno, but 1000 times worse. Your friends won't even know that you are there and it's a nightmare that you can never get out of.

Death is part of life, someday we all have to die. From age 1 to 101.

Paul (MrCleveland)
Umm...are you serious? No kidding people have to die. But plenty of people shouldn't have to die so early on in their lives and in tragic ways. Are you saying all research for any type of disease should just be pushed to the side because we all have to die anyway? If I ever get a life threatening disease I'll make sure to just sit there and let myself die instead of getting treatment because, hey, it has to happen anyway. And I guess when it happens I'll have to head to the inferno, too, because I'm not very religious. Shucks.

ANYWAY. I think what he's doing is very admirable. Good for him. I wish only the best for him and hope that if it's at all possible, things will get better for him. And hopefully, what he's pushing for will be looked into in Congress.

I admire his courage during this obvious difficult period in his life, and I admire him and anybody who is willing to go out of their way to get on the politicians asses. If more people did that (including myself) things could really get done.

I think it's great that he is finding the strenght to do this and speak out for not just himself but millions of others who wish that they would put more money into doing research about cancer.
:yeahthat

I totally agree! My first thought was just 'I hope he has enough time left to be able to make a difference'

His energy is absolutely incredible. Now that I've just begun chemo I see how it knocks the bejeepers out of you and for him to be working, getting treatments and wanting to do this now is just amazing.

I don't know how he does it. He is such a strong man even with all his problems. I wish him the best of luck.

Dear Patrick Swayze

People die. Whether it's from cancer, AIDS, Heart Attack, or Natural Causes, people have to die.

Death is when the spirit falls asleep and will wake up to a Nightmare that they made from the last life or a Dream that overlaps all the dreams that you will ever have.

If you trust in God and have him in his heart, you will be sent to a place beyond your wildest dreams. It will be like Disney World times 1000, but if you don't put your heart into God, you will be sent to a place called the Inferno. It will be like Dante's Inferno, but 1000 times worse. Your friends won't even know that you are there and it's a nightmare that you can never get out of.

Death is part of life, someday we all have to die. From age 1 to 101.

Paul (MrCleveland)

Do you dislike Patrick Swayze?

Of course I agree that all people have to die one day but most people want to prolong their lives for as long as possible. I believe Patrick Swayze is in his mid 50s and, while not being youthful, that is still, in my view, very young to die.

If there's any chance of a cure, at all, then I think it should be worked towards.

I believe in a life after death but I no longer believe in Hell. (I used to.) Now that I'm a New Ager I believe we create our realities after we die. I believe we do it while we're alive as well.

Do you dislike Patrick Swayze?

Of course I agree that all people have to die one day but most people want to prolong their lives for as long as possible. I believe Patrick Swayze is in his mid 50s and, while not being youthful, that is still, in my view, very young to die.

If there's any chance of a cure, at all, then I think it should be worked towards.

I believe in a life after death but I no longer believe in Hell. (I used to.) Now that I'm a New Ager I believe we create our realities after we die. I believe we do it while we're alive as well.

I'm sorry that my letter was insincere. It's good that we are researching cancer, it's sad that someone dies, but reality...kicks in and it's hard to cope with.

I'm sorry that my letter was insincere.

I'm not sure what you mean? Are you saying that you didn't mean anything you said in the "letter" or just that you're re-thinking things?

I'm not sure what you mean? Are you saying that you didn't mean anything you said in the "letter" or just that you're re-thinking things?

I really didn't mean what I said.:(

I really didn't mean what I said.:(


No problem - don't worry, we're not mad at you. Sometimes I've posted things that didn't come out right just because something was happening in my life at the time so I came across as sarcastic or cold.

Trust me tho guys - the closer you get to your middle age, the more you realize just how short life is at it's best, let alone in the middle.

I'm turning 48 in March, but my mind's stuck at around 28. I still think and do things that I did at that age (that my parents would have never done!). I think your generation will find this out too. I think because medicines are making us healthier longer, even though I might be the same as my mother was, I look and feel younger already. If they keep making strides in medicine like they have been, can you imagine what you'll be in for? You'll be in your 70s and still going strong feeling like someone would have years before only in their 30s!!

I really didn't mean what I said.:(
That's okay, don't worry about it. :)

Trust me tho guys - the closer you get to your middle age, the more you realize just how short life is at it's best, let alone in the middle.

I'm turning 48 in March, but my mind's stuck at around 28. I still think and do things that I did at that age (that my parents would have never done!). I think your generation will find this out too. I think because medicines are making us healthier longer, even though I might be the same as my mother was, I look and feel younger already. If they keep making strides in medicine like they have been, can you imagine what you'll be in for? You'll be in your 70s and still going strong feeling like someone would have years before only in their 30s!!


I really like your outlook on things Cathy. I will be 30 this year and I really appreciate everyday that I have. I am trying more than ever to take care of myself and eat right. The women in my family history have had a hard time even making it to 60 so I have to really try to stay healthy. Hopefully I inherited the males health in my family. My great grandpa lived to be 99 and my two other grandpas are still alive one is 92 and one is 86 and both still going strong. Life is so precious and we really should live the best and healthiest lives we can.:)