My big brother died of cancer when I was 17 (he was 27). My dad died of cancer when I was 19 (he was 57). As I mentioned, my sister had breast cancer (late 50s, clean now for 6 years).

I'm with zombie. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies.

I don't hate the NFL. I do hate the idea that just because someone is really good at doing one thing (football entertainment) that they should be shaping the agenda for things (disease awareness) that they aren't good at.

If we evaluate a business that makes widgets, we look at how good it is at getting a high return for low costs. We look at that margin.

But for notforprofits, we only look at half the story. We look at the "size" of what's being done, without regard to the cost of doing so. Awareness done well is wonderful. Awareness done in a way that spends three times as much money as it would have to is wasteful...and, in the long run, counterproductive, because it means certain resources are no longer available.

Raising awareness is a wonderful idea. But its really hard to do effectively. And it's really easy to think you're doing a lot more than you really are.

I want to stop cancer. Should I give $100 to someone who gives $80 to doctors, or someone who spend $50 of it on ribbons and expensive footballs and another pair of shoes for Adrian Peterson?

Should I listen to what Susan Sarandon says about politics because I think she used to look really hot? Even though she is a fucking pinhead in her thinking?

Should I pay attention to what Brett Favre says about the value of texting because he might know how to send a picture of his dick to a girl?

Should I pay attention to what Carl Sagan says about economics because he knew more cosmology than I do?

Should I give to a charity just because Jessica Biel will go out with me if I do?

I still am hot for Jessica Biel. But I ought not be basing my charity decisions on what she values unless I have some other evidence that she is really good at it.

I'm still hot for the NFL.

But should I give for breast cancer because the NFL has a new clothing line in pink?

No fucking way.

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