belle de jour{C}, I agree there is an unlimited number of acts of love with no display of affection.

As for curing cancer why did whatever scientists go into such a field? Certainly intelligence is a factor but what human suffering did they witness or hear about that first sparked the desire and drive needed for the long battle belonging to such research.

When Danny Thomas founded St. Jude's it was not for cancer research like today. It was because he lost so many friends as a child because their parents could not afford medical care. Today St. Jude's is known for its efforts against cancer but it is a fully functioning children's hospital from premier births requiring multi month hospitalizations to every childhood complaint.

From a personal front I know a St. Jude. cancer researcher who's interest was piqued from a St. Jude math-a-thon fund raiser in elementary school. It also helps to live 80 miles from the hospital which allows early interactions to begin formulating.