[Deathwatch] William Schwartz, media executive, 63

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Prostate Cancer Kills Top U.S. Advocate
Mon Sep 9, 5:52 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - William Schwartz, a former media executive who
dedicated his life to fighting prostate cancer ( news - web sites)
after he developed the disease himself, died on Monday, the National
Prostate Cancer Coalition said. 

It said Schwartz, former president of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises,
had died at the age of 63. 

"After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1994, Mr. Schwartz
dedicated himself to fighting the disease by promoting awareness and
launching lobbying efforts to increase research dollars," the
Coalition, where Schwartz was chief executive officer until his death,
said in a statement. 

"His work also included cancer projects for the Department of Defense (
news - web sites) and the National Dialogue on Cancer." 

The Detroit-born Schwartz was an executive at Cox, the majority
shareholder in Cox Communications Inc., from 1973 to 1987. In the
1990s, he served as president and part owner of Cannell Communications
and First Media Television and was chairman, chief executive officer,
and partner of Capital Cable. 

"More men are surviving prostate cancer today because of the fervent
dedication and selfless generosity of Bill Schwartz," National Prostate
Cancer Coalition President Dr. Richard Atkins said. 

The American Cancer Society ( news - web sites) estimates that 189,000
American men will develop prostate cancer this year and 30,000 will die
of it. It is the second biggest cancer killer of men, after lung
cancer. 

Schwartz is survived by his wife Marlene, two sons and a daughter.