The hats were a reference to Clark’s mother, 51-year-old Jackie Underwood, who had just died after a four-year battle with breast cancer. The sisters were reportedly shopping for funeral dresses when they were kicked out of the mall.

Mall management released a statement to ABC 6, saying that the King of Prussia Mall is a “family destination” and that some words, even just suggested ones, “are considered profane and can offend many people.” One of Underwood’s daughters, Makia Underwood, pointed out that clothing with profanity – both explicit and implicit – can be bought within the mall. The mall has since apologized to Clark and her sisters, offering to donate money to a cancer charity.

The Daily Mail reports that Mirren, who is currently playing the queen in a stage show, met with Burton in full costume and makeup recently. She had tea with him and then knighted him as Sir Oliver Burton. He even got to play with her two corgis.

It’s unfortunate that Burton didn’t get to meet the real queen, but he reportedly didn’t know the difference. To him, Mirren was the real deal, and he was thrilled to meet her. Burton’s parents were even happier saying that Mirren “stayed in character for the whole thing. Oliver thought she was the real queen, and well, that’s good enough for us.”

Unfortunately, Burton may just have weeks or months to live as his latest bout with cancer has been deemed incurable by doctors. That being said, he has come through two previous bouts where doctors said he had hours to live. He may pull through yet again.

Even if the worst comes to pass, Burton’s parents are determined to fill what may be his final weeks with wonderful memories. It’s gonna be hard to top meeting the “queen,” but his parents have some ideas.

[Image: Angela George]

Sobiech battled the terminal cancer, osteosarcoma, from the age of 14. Last year, a song he penned about his illness called “Clouds” went viral on YouTube,

“With heavy hearts, we are saddened to share that Zach Sobiech passed away this morning. Zach was at home and at peace with those he loved most. Zach’s life ended just as he lived, embraced by the love of his family, friends, grace and music,” says The Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

“Cancer may have taken Zach too soon, but he leaves a lasting legacy that most of us will never achieve. His message of love and hope delivered through infectious lyrics and memorable tunes have imprinted on the minds and hearts of millions around the world. Zach became a beacon of light and benevolence in a world that sometimes weighs too heavily. In turn, he received a flood of well-wishes that helped him, and his loved ones, smile through tremendous pain and worry.”

Zach recorded two albums worth of music, which helped raised money for awareness and research for his rare disease. His fight attracted nationwide attention, including that of many celebrities.

If you want to donate to Zach’s cause, you can do so here.

Released in December, the video went viral, and tugged at the heartstrings of viewers around the world, and eventually led to a celebrity tribute video featuring Bryan Cranston, Anna Faris, Sarah Silverman, Ed Helms, Jenna Elfman, Jason Mraz and others.

Sobiech was diagnosed with osterosarcoma (a rare, cancerous bone tumor that develops in children) in November 2009. He went through several surgeries and months of chemotherapy. At the end of last May, cancer was found in his pelvis and lungs. “There are no effective treatments left,” the video says.

Zach’s mother Laura posted the following message to website CaringBridge.org today:

Zachary passed away this morning. He was surrounded by his sisters, brother, parents and girlfriend. We love him dearly.

A concert is scheduled for this coming Saturday to raise money for Sobiech’s fund, which aims to raise money to fight the disease. Donations are also being accepted here.

Clouds is currently approaching 3 million views on YouTube.

Here’s another song Zach and his group A Firm Handshake released in February:

[via Today]

Jolie, who wrote a piece for the New York Times this week about her brave decision to go under the knife as a preemptive strike against breast cancer, says she did it partly because she watched her mom go through a battle with the disease and doesn’t want to leave her own children without their mom. Sambolin says the same thing inspired her to elect for the invasive surgery.

“I struggled for weeks trying to figure out how tell you that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was leaving to have surgery then Angelina Jolie shares her story of a double mastectomy and gives me strength and an opening,” Sambolin wrote on Facebook.

Sambolin says her prognosis is a good one due to early detection, and says she wants to warn women of the dangers of being neglectful with their breast care. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on May 28.

Everhart’s rep made a statement about the diagnosis, saying, “Word has been trickling out about supermodel/actress Angie Everhart’s health. She wants to set the record straight by letting everyone know that it is true that she has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, however, the prognosis is very good.”

Everhart decided to go public with her battle in order to inspire others to learn about cancer prevention. As single mom to a 3-year old son, she says her main priority is getting well enough to get back to “mommy duty”.

Everhart is the latest in a string of celebrities who have battled thyroid cancer and come out on the other end successful, including Brooke Burke-Charvet and Sofia Vergara. Vergara was diagnosed in 2000 and had her thyroid removed, but is enjoying a healthy life these days. Burke-Charvet also endured surgery but says she credits a healthy diet and exercise routine for her energy.

“I was already eating healthy, but it really confirms how good I feel when I work out,” Burke, 41, said. “After lying around for a few weeks, I was like, ‘I need to move. I need to sweat and get that adrenaline rush.’ It’s the best antidepressant. It’s like the best medicine in the world.”

Prayers for my client guys – Angie Everhart — Diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer tmz.com/2013/05/13/ang… via @tmz

— Melinda (@melindagale) May 13, 2013

I like her. Praying for her recovery. RT @tmz: Angie Everhart — Diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer tmz.me/ZV7imo

— Elle, oh Elle (@elle_emm_aitch) May 13, 2013

“In light of this news, I have decided to postpone my forthcoming Las Vegas residency to spend time with her and our family,” Newton-John wrote in a statement. “As a cancer ‘thriver’ myself, as many people are, I am very aware of the importance of love, support and family during this journey she is about to begin.”

The 64-year old actress and singer battled breast cancer 20 years ago and is now facing a tough road with her sister, Rona. Her Vegas residency was to begin soon at the Flamingo Hotel as a stand-in for Donny and Marie Osmond’s away dates, and though it’s believed she will eventually perform, nothing has been confirmed yet.

Rona was famously married to her sister’s “Grease” co-star, Jeff Conaway, for five years. They have a son together, 38-year old Emerson.

Ebert made the announcement in a post to his Chicago Sun-Times blog. The reason for his leave was also revealed in the post – his cancer has returned. He is currently being treated with radiation therapy. Ebert was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002, and lost his ability to speak after complications from surgery in 2006.

Ebert used his post to thank his colleagues and everyone who has helped him in his 46-year career. He has stated that he will now leave most of the reviewing work to his hand-picked reviewer colleagues. Ebert expressed excitement that he will be reviewing only the movies he wants to. He may also begin writing about his health troubles. From the post:

At this point in my life, in addition to writing about movies, I may write about what it’s like to cope with health challenges and the limitations they can force upon you. It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital. So on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.

Ebert’s film review website, rogerebert.com, is being re-launched with a new design the writer states is “highly interactive and searchable.”

Researchers fron the University of Southern California (USC), Scripps Clinic, The Scripps Research Institute, University of California, San Diego Moores Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York used an algorithm described as “similar to the Google PageRank and to the Viterbi Algorithm for digital communication” to gain insights about spread patterns of lung cancer.

“This research demonstrates how similar the Internet is to a living organism,” said USC Viterbi School of Engineering Professor Paul Newton, Ph.D., the lead and corresponding author of the study. “The same types of tools that help us understand the spread of information through the web can help us understand the spread of cancer through the human body.”

In fact, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen PageRank used to study other areas of science or even cancer. A Washington State University chemistry professor claimed to have adapted the PageRank algorithm to help determine molecular shapes and chemical reactions. Then, a study came out last year looking at improving outcome prediction for cancer patients by network-based ranking of marker genes, using the PageRank concept.

We first reported on this new study in December, but now the results are out.

The team learned that metastatic lung cancer doesn’t progress in a single direction from the primary tumor site to distant locations, according to a news release on the findings. They also say they learned that the first site to which the cells spread plays a key role in the progression of the disease, with the study showing that some parts of the body serve as “sponges” that are unlikely to further spread the cancer cells to other areas of the body. The study did identify other areas as spreaders for lung cancer cells, with the main spreaders being the adrenal gland and kidney, and the main sponges being the regional lymph nodes, liver and bone.

More on the study here.

Unfortunately, her cancer has returned, and has begun spreading. After multiple operations, the Easy Rider actress, says Eckelberry, “can hardly move around and is mostly bed-bound.” She now weighs less than 100 pounds.

Eckelberry now believes that a clinical study in Europe could be Black’s last chance at survival. Only thing is, it’s rather expensive. As anyone living in the U.S. knows, medical bills and the costs associated with a medical condition pile up quickly. Black and Eckelberry have now found their finances dipping into the red. So, Eckelberry and Black looked to fans to help out with some crowdfunding.

Over one week ago, a gofundme campaign was launched to send Black for the European treatments. Now, after just 11 days, nearly $30,000 has been raised – far exceeding the $22,000 goal that was set.

Eckelberry updated the campaign page yesterday, thanking the donors profusely:

Everybody thank you so much for the donations and kind thoughts. Karen and are touched beyond belief. It’s so great to know she can make this trip. I promise to keep everybody updated. Any additional money that is raised beyond our goal will go towards my going with her. THIS IS AMAZING THANK YOU SO MUCH

(Image courtesy Vanessa Lua/Wikimedia Commons)