Celebs We Lost to Cancer Too Soon

Jackie Collins

Best Selling author Jackie Collins, 77, died Saturday, September 19th after being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer six and a half years ago. Collins didn't only shared her diagnosis with her three daughters, Tracy, 54, Tiffany, 48, and Rory, 46.

In an interview with People Collins said, "I did it my way, as Frank Sinatra would say. I've written five books since the diagnosis, I've lived my life, I've traveled all over the world, I have not turned down book yours and no one has ever known until now when I feel as though I should come out with it."

Collins was a successful author for over four decades. She sold more than 500 million copies novels around the world. Eight of her novels were adapted for the screen, as either films or television mini-series.

Peter Jennings

Peter Jennings was a journalist and news anchor for ABC's World New Tonight from 1983 up until his death in 2005 of complications from lung cancer. Jennings was a high school dropout but he transformed himself into one of the most prolific journalists of our time. Along with Tom Brokaw at NBC and Dan Rather at CBS, Jennings formed part of the "Big Three" news anchors who dominated evening news from the early 1980s until his death in 2005.

On April 5, 2005 Jennings announced to viewers that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer and recently started chemotherapy. He was a prior smoker. Throughout his fight, he posted thank-you notes and hello's to viewers who'd expressed their concerns and offered their prayers and good wishes. Then on August 7, 2005, at the age of 67, Jennings passed away.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze stole the hearts of many fans with his movie roles portraying a tough or romantic lead guy. Swayze starred in a wide range of genres: The Outsiders (1983), Red Dawn (1984), Dirty Dancing (1987), Road House (1989), Ghost (1990), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), Black Dog (1998), Donnie Darko (2001) and Jump (2008). He also held roles in North and South and The Beast, for which he received three Golden Globe Award nominations. And to top off the fame, he was crowned People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.

In 2007, Swayze suffered from a blockage of his bile ducts and then in early 2008 he was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Swayze continued to receive treatments and go through various surgeries to remove the mass. After being given only weeks to survive, Swayze fought the odds and lived 20 more months after being diagnosed and 57 died in September 2009.