Actress Rose Mcgowan has launched a new awareness campaign about Pulmonary Fibrosis after losing her father to the deadly lung disease.

Rose’s dad, artist Daniel MCGowan, lost his battle with the illness two years ago (09) and now the actress is helping to give patients and their family members a voice as the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis’ (Cpf) new ambassador.

In a post on her Facebook.com page on Friday (16Dec11), MCGowan confirms her new role, writing “My life was unalterably changed the day my father was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF). He was my touchstone in life and once I realised that he was suffering from a disease that was 100% fatal, I found myself feeling utterly helpless and broken-hearted.

“It has taken me a great deal of time to begin to heal and I still shed tears at the most unexpected moments. He was taken at what seems to me a fairly young age of 61 – my heart was not ready to let him go.

“I am now in the fight to stop this horrible disease because you can’t change anything by bemoaning your fate or sitting on the sidelines. After dealing with this tough loss, I have determined that my course needs to be one of helping to stop the disease – my loss can be turned into a win for all those diagnosed with PF in the future… My decision to help the Cpf in their work to stop PF is my way of keeping my dad’s legacy alive and making a contribution to the world in his name.

“There are many causes that are better known, but watching the inexorable destruction that PF wreaks on the patient and their family and friends has convinced me of the urgency of this work. We are losing as many patients as breast cancer, but the investment in research for PF is minimal – it’s time for a change.”

Source

Photos: Fame

Rose McGowan stopped by ‘Extra’ this morning. What do you think of her dress?

Photos: Fame

Looking good!

Photos: Fame

Is it just me – or does she look funky.

Photos: Fame

I love her dress!

Photos: Fame

She grew up in my hometown! And with drag queens! Who knew?

Rose McGowan has been a longtime activist for the gay community. Her childhood could have something to do with that. Rose was born in Italy as a member of the cult, Church of God. She returned to the US at the age of 10 – and left home shortly after that.

“At 13, when I was a runaway, I was taken in by the most amazing drag queens in Portland, Ore,” McGowan says. “We didn’t always know where our next meal was coming from, but there was so much camaraderie and love. Not to mention, those girls could paint a face, and I learned how because of them.”

The “Charmed” star, who next stars in “Conan the Barbarian,” details fun times that she had with her guardians — and the way in which they impact her to this day.

“I could finagle my way into lots of different places,” she says about whether she could get into night clubs despite her young age. “Whether it was how I danced or the way I looked, I was always quite celebrated in the gay clubs. To this day, I only go to gay clubs. I’m perfectly at home there. I also like watching hot boys and hot girls who can dance.”

That being said, as hard as she tries, she doesn’t find herself attracted to women. Off-screen, at least.

“I disappoint myself. I’ve never even kissed a girl. Isn’t that funny? The girls I think are cute look like guys, but then I think, But if they open their shirt, they’ll have breasts,” she muses. “I’d be stoked to do a lesbian love scene. When asked if I’ve kissed a girl, I could finally say, ‘Why, yes, I have. And I got paid.’”

McGowan is in the middle of a busy period in her career; she’s set for a guest role on “Law & Order: SVU,” will lead in the thriller, “Rosewood Lane,” star with Heather Graham and Kim Basinger in the comedy, “Fortune,” and star in the big screen adaptation of the Sylvia Plath novel, “The Bell Jar,” with Julia Stiles.

Interesting!

Source, Photos (Fame): Rose attends a Katy Perry concert with some friends in Los Angeles.