Stars Who Lost Their Battle With Cancer

Cancer claims the life of Donna Summers, plus others.

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MCA - Adam Yauch — better known as MCA of Beastie Boys fame — passed away after a battle with cancer in 2012. Roughly a year later, a park in Brooklyn Heights was dedicated in his honor. Adam Yauch Park sits at Columbia Place and State Street in BK. (Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
"Waiting in Vain" - Bob Marley waited patiently for love on this song. "From the very first time I rest my eyes on you, girl /My heart says follow through/But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line/But the waiting feel is fine," he sang. (Photo: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)Boom: Walter Payton - Legendary running back Walter Payton was drafted to the Chicago Bears in 1975, and stayed with the team for 13 seasons. The former Jackson State University football star and NFL Hall of Famer retired from the NFL in 1987, having won Super Bowl XX with the Bears and setting records as the league’s all-time rusher (16,726 yards) and most touchdowns (110). In November 1999, he passed away from a rare autoimmune liver disease.  (Photo:  Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

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Gone Too Soon - Disco queen Donna Summer passed away from lung cancer Thursday morning. She was 63. Best known for her soaring vocals on hits including "Last Dance" and “She Works Hard for the Money,” the five-time Grammy award winner is one of many Black stars to succumb to the disease in recent years. BET.com looks back at other notables who left us too soon because of cancer. —Britt Middleton(Photo: Fotos International/Getty Images)

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