Cancer and the Shutdown

Well, there's not a whole lot of cancer news out there over the last couple of days. Seems like everything is being dominated by the partial shutdown of the federal government, and its current and potential aftermath.

Of course, the shutdown is affecting cancer patients, directly and indirectly.

Kinds with cancer are being blocked from participating in clinical trials.

The National Cancer Institute has stopped taking new patients in its trials, and has shut down its 24 hour hotline for cancer patients.

The Centers for Disease Control have halted their flu monitoring program. 

There are more, but that's plenty for now.

It's very frustrating, particularly when polls show so many people are against a government shutdown, no matter who initiates it or for what purpose.

We can only hope that the people involved start talking to one another, and come to a reasonable solution.

In the meantime, I was going to link to a Reddit thread titled "What's Your Go-To Song if You Need Cheering Up? The One that Never fails to Put a Smile on Your Face." But some of the choices are, to me, questionable. (Coldplay's "Viva La Vida"? Really? It's a great song, but...actually, it's about a king who is dethroned. Maybe that's the perfect sentiment, no matter which of our leaders you have in mind.....)

No, no. Let's stay positive. I'm going to suggest this one instead.

Hang in there, folks.