Though most of the celebrity news over the weekend focused on two celebrities who died somewhat unexpectedly, I was saddened by another, far quieter, announcement about a celebrity's health status last week. Movie legend and philanthropist Paul Newman has been battling cancer and it has now been reported in several media outlets that he has stopped treatment and has returned home to live out his final days.
Newman has always guarded his privacy vigilantly so, of course, the star has not confirmed this report-- much like he didn't confirm his original diagnosis of cancer a few months ago, though the news was leaked by a friend. Still, a picture of Newman in a wheelchair surfaced earlier this month, and it lends credibility to the sad reality that we may soon lose one of Hollywood's true noblemen.
I have always admired Newman's acting, of course, but I have admired far more the way he has handled his celebrity with humility, dignity, and integrity. Newman has donated over $250 million to charity through his Newman's Own brand, but never put his family up for sale to the magazine that was the highest bidder as some kind of fundraiser. He has stayed married to the same woman for fifty years in an era when most celebrity relationships don't last longer than a few months. He has even made getting older look sexy and cool as he raced cars until just a few years ago.
In digging around the Internet, I found an interesting post on Newman over at jewcy.com calling Newman a mensch. Seems the actor has identified himself in the past with his Jewish roots from his dad's side of the family. The article didn't explain the "mensch" reference, and although I have heard the Yiddish word before, I didn't know exactly know what it was. The American Heritage Dictionary defines mensch as "A person having admirable characteristics, such as fortitude and firmness of purpose."
So now I know. Newman is a true mensch among men in Hollywood and my prayers are with him and his family
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No one need die of Cancer. It is unknown in several areas of the world. An internet search using the terms cancer and cure will turn up a multitude of options...mostly ignored by conventional medicine.
Otto Warburg won a Nobel prize in the early 30's for identifying what cancer is and has been religiously ignored by mainstream medicals who keep pushing expensive chemotherapy which compromises the patients immune system so that the patient dies of something other than cancer. Since the patient died of something besides cancer, the death is not attributed to cancer, making the chemo-cancer statistic look good.
Dr David Gregg and his Cesium Chloride cure can cure cancer in a couple of weeks for a couple of hundred dollars, but a couple of hundred doesn't interest the medical-pharmaceutical community that can make a hundred thousand from an unfortunate victim.
The internet is slowly changing this situation. The information that the medical-pharmaceutical community has kept hidden is now available in multiples on the internet for those who are willing to make the effort.
god bless paul newman for all his time and effort he put out for us to enjoy and its always left up to god when he is going to leave us and i hope he is ready to meet his maker from what i know he is a good actor i will keep him in my prayers and may god bless this wonderful man
God must be getting lonely and is calling home one of his finest creations. My admiration for Paul Newman and his wife are beyond description. Their talent is extraordinary but the way they have conducted their private lives goes even beyond that. Paul Newman is one of the most talented actors of our time and a true and admirable gentleman. I lost my husband to cancer and know the pain his family is going through watching him suffer. My thougts and prayers go out to Paul and his entire family. Thanks, Paul, for letting us witness and enjoy your amazing talent on screen and for showing us how life should be led. God bless and be with you and your family.
God bless this wonderful man, who gave us such a good time with his films. did so many things for so many people. One of those real gentleman! please don't die! take all the love from your family, friends and fans. Nobody is ready to let you go.
we all love you!
My condolences to Joanne and the rest of the Newman family.
Paul Newman, a fellow Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity brother of mine was now entered Chapter Eternal. One of Paul’s greatest achievements was founding The Hole in the Wall Camps (HITWC www.holeinthewallcamps.org) in 1988. Paul realized that luck can sometimes play a dirty hand to those least deserving… and there are many who can make a major difference to those facing great challenges. The Hole in the Wall Camps were developed to provide children, ages 7 to 17, who battle serious and life threatening illnesses with the opportunity to have a normal summer camp experience. Thousands of children come to camp every year, free of charge, for one week.
They forget about their illnesses and simply get a chance to be a kid. In the words of Brother Newman: “Camp is a place where kids can kick back and raise a little hell.” The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity adopted The Hole in the Wall Camps as their national charity in 1995. The HITWC philanthropy helps exemplify Phi Kappa Tau’s motto “Building Men Of Character.” Since 1995 several hundred thousand dollars have been donated to the camps and hundreds of men have volunteered as cabin counselors, activity specialists, unit leaders, and other camp staff.
Although we didn’t go to the same University or at the same time I was very proud of Paul. As an alumni brother of the University of Akron Ohio Phi Kappa Tau www.akronphitau.com this year we held our 4th Annual Hole In The Wall Charity Classic Golf Outing and it was a great success. With all funds raised go to the newest provisional HITWC The Flying Horse Farms www.flyinghorsefarms.org which will open in the summer of 2010 near Mount Gilead, Ohio. Donations are needed to complete the camp in Ohio, plus to maintain and run all Hole In The Wall Camps. Please donate generously!
Another great organization that Paul founded was Newman’s Own www.newmansown.com “Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good.” Newman's Own has grown into a powerful and lasting expression of Paul Newman's generosity. The Company has generated over $250 million in proceeds that have been donated by Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation to thousands of charities worldwide.
Cheers Brother Paul we sing our Phi Tau brotherhood song for you!
“We are brothers now and ever
Until the day we die
And when that time comes rollin’ ‘round
And we bid our last good-bye
There is one thing sure and certain
Let us bow our heads in awe
We’ll meet again in heaven sure
In the name of Phi Kappa Tau”
Hear it and download the sheet music at www.akronphitau.com/songbook.html
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