By Melissa Weber

A column Ann Landers wrote in 1971 asked readers to write Congress urging them to support the National Cancer Act. Congress received more letters because of that column than it had received in its history‚ and the legislation appropriated $100 million for cancer research.

The woman who has been giving America advice for years has died. Columnist Ann Landers died June 22‚ 2002 of multiple myeloma. The 83–year–old‚ whose real name was Esther Lederer‚ won a 1955 contest to be the second writer of the Ann Landers column. Lederer was a former member of the National Cancer Advisory Board.

The advice column will no longer be printed at the request of the late columnist. Her daughter‚ Margo Howard‚ told The Associated Press‚ “She was able to change with the times. There was nothing dated about her opinions.”

A couple of years ago‚ there weren’t enough toys in the “treasure chest” at childrens Hospital Los Angeles‚ where now 10–year–old Johnnie Lanners was being treated for leukemia‚ so he took matters into his own hands. He gathered his $15 of savings and asked his grandmother to take him to the toy store. Today‚ Johnnie’s Charity has donated too many toys to count. Among the donors are creators of The Simpsons and Lego Co.

Lung Cancer Awareness Week‚ coming up Nov. 18–22‚ is getting some help from Law & Order star S. Epatha Merkerson.You won’t see Lt. Anita Van Buren smoking‚ but Merkerson played the role of smoker for 23 years‚ quitting in 1994.
Her sister is a lung cancer survivor and two of Merkerson’s closest friends died of the disease.

“Because it’s a disease that is preventable‚ it’s seen as your fault that you’re suffering‚” she says. “But people are dying. That makes it as important as any other cancer. It’s important that patients fight the cancer and educate themselves about all the things that are available to support them.” For more information about Lung Cancer Awareness events‚ visit www.ons.org or www.wellnesscommunity.org. You can also call 202–955–6222.

Journalist Cokie Roberts is being treated for breast cancer after a small tumor was found in her left breast in mid–June 2002. The Washington Post reported that the 58–year–old underwent a successful lumpectomy at the end of July. Before her diagnosis‚ Roberts announced she would be leaving This Week‚ the Sunday show she co–anchored with Sam Donaldson. She told the Post that she plans to continue her work for ABC News as a political analyst and commentator.

Tony Bennett called her “one of America’s finest pop vocalists.” Singer and actress Rosemary Clooney died June 29‚ 2002‚ at age 74 of lung cancer. She was Bing Crosby’s co–star in White Christmas‚ and she made her version of “Come On–A My House” a hit.

Man’s best friend is taking on new meaning. Researchers at England’s Cambridge University Veterinary School are awaiting funding to test what they are calling “dognoseis.” They will train dogs to recognize signature smells of prostate cancer in urine samples. Veterinary experts estimate a dog’s sense of smell is 1‚000 to 100‚000 times more sensitive than a human’s. However‚ some medical professionals are skeptical.

He’s done it again. Lance Armstrong won his fourth consecutive Tour de France July 28. He finished the 2‚032–mile ride seven minutes ahead of the pack‚ proving that comparisons to great athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods are more than justified. The 30–year–old Texan was given a 50% chance of survival after his 1996 testicular cancer diagnosis. Armstrong told The Associated Press‚ “Regardless of one victory‚ two victories‚ four victories‚ there’s never been a victory by a cancer survivor. That’s a fact that‚ hopefully‚ I’ll be remembered for.”

An interactive video–broadcast brain tumor conference on Sept. 20–21 will allow participants to enjoy the benefits of speakers in three locations: San Francisco‚ Phoenix‚ and Denver. For more information‚ call 800–934–2873 or go to www.braintumor.org.

Mr. Armstrong goes to Washington. The Lance Armstrong Foundation took a trip to Capitol Hill in June. The foundation‚ based in Austin‚ Texas‚ teamed up with a group of lawmakers to propose a House bill that would greatly increase the amount of federal money spent on the nine million cancer survivors in the United States. The foundation was started five years ago with about $200‚000 in revenue and currently has about $9.5 million in revenue‚ allowing its mission to expand from testicular cancer to all cancers.

American teenagers are more concerned about having a tan than their risk of developing skin cancer. Of more than 10‚000 teenagers surveyed by Boston University researchers‚ only 34% said they use sunscreen regularly. Ironically‚ the study surveyed children of healthcare providers across the country.

A group made up of 230 cancer research advocates gathered in Washington‚ D.C.‚ at the beginning of June 2002 to meet with key members of Congress and urge them to increase federal funding for cancer programs. The group‚ calling themselves One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC)‚ proposed that Congress appropriate more than $33 billion to various cancer research organizations for fiscal year 2003. “As we approach this critical budget cycle‚ many of the most deadly cancers‚ including pancreatic‚ liver‚ and kidney‚ have gone several years without a treatment breakthrough‚” says Daniel E. Smith‚ OVAC chair.

Barry Watson‚ known for his big brother role as Matt Camden on the hit show 7th Heaven‚ has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease.

A spokesperson for Spelling Television‚ which produces the show‚ said no decision has been made as to whether Watson will return for guest appearances next season. The 28–year–old has also appeared in numerous films‚ including Teaching Mrs. Tingle‚ Sorority Boys‚ and a cameo in Ocean’s Eleven.

Deep in the Heart of Texans! Texans Conquer Cancer License Plates were created to benefit nonprofit organizations that provide support servi–ces to cancer patients and their families in Texas. Plates are $30. The funds are administered by the Texas Cancer Council‚ a state agency that helps patients‚ families‚ and caregivers deal with the effects of cancer on everyday life. You can apply online at www.texansconquercancer.org or call 512–463–3190.

Sharon Osbourne‚ wife of Ozzy Osbourne‚ was diagnosed with colon cancer July 1‚ 2002. Following her July 3 surgery‚ it was found that the cancer spread. The Osbourne family has recently been in the spotlight thanks to their Emmy–nominated reality show on MTV‚ The Osbournes. New episodes‚ airing this fall‚ will follow the 49–year–old through chemotherapy.