Cathy Seipp, 49

Well known blogger and writer Cathy Seipp passed from this world around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. She had been battling lung cancer for several years even though she had never smoked.

I lost my stepfather two years ago to lung cancer. Cathy was right in her posts that AIDS, breast cancer and other illnesses are more "sexy" than lung cancer and get short shrift in terms of fundraising and research. Because of the demonization of smoking - primarily by the left - there is a stigma with lung cancer. This is a not a compassionate way to treat those who are sick due to their use of tobacco and certainly for those who DID NOT smoke and got lung cancer such as Cathy and Dana Reeve.

On Cathy's blog, her daughter Maia mentions the Lung Cancer Alliance. I don't know a lot about this group but it sounds likes it far more progressive and does more good for lung cancer patients than the staid American Lung Association. You may wish to make a donation in Cathy's honor to the LCA.

All of us at the Sister City send our thoughts to Maia as well as the rest of the family - and her legions of friends and fans.

Tributes:

• Martini Republic
• Susan Estrich
• LA Times Obit
• On the blogosphere as it happens