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Patrick Swayze an inspiring surprise
Patrick Swazye’s surprise appearance at the EIF “Stand Up To Cancer” fund-raising special impressed a nation of television viewers and a stage full of fellow celebrities.The special aired on CBS, NBC and ABC Friday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m.
The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, came out on a darkened stage during the opening segment, receiving a standing ovation when the lights came up.
“He looks amazing,” former basketball player Charles Barkley told People magazine. “For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing.”
Swayze smiled and danced in the wings through the show with his wife, Lisa Niemi. As Melissa Etheridge and Sugarland sang the last song, Swayze approached Barkley and the two had an animated conversation.
“He just came up to me and said, ‘Hi,’ ” said Barkley. “We talked about how he was doing. He said he’s doing well. He said that he’s even gone back to work.”
Swayze stayed on stage long after most of the crowd had thinned out — chatting with Fran Drescher and other cancer survivors. But no one was more impressed than Noreen Fraser, one of the show’s producers and a stage-four breast cancer survivor.
“I just had to thank him for his appearance. His appearance put this event over the top,” an emotional Fraser told People. “He told me, ‘There was no way I was going to say no to this.’ “
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By Jenny
September 7, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
Thank God for such amazing results from years of intense study.By FranHinshaw
September 7, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Patrick, You are an inspiration to all. I have followed all your movies. You are a teriffic actor and gentleman. carry on, as you are much LOVED.By FordFairlane
September 7, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Glad to hear Patrick is doing well, although I can tell he has lost some weight. One of my favorite actors for sure.