Virtually every student knows someone who has battled cancer. It is a topic that is of great interest to many students because of their personal connection to the subject. Mitosis is an important topic in a middle school unit on cells and cell processes (National Science Standards, Grades 5?8: Life Sciences: Content Standard C). Studying cancer can provide a real-life understanding of the normal cell cycle and what happens when it goes awry. After students have demonstrated understanding of the process and stages of mitosis, the author introduces a study of cancer as a disruption of the normal cell cycle, or "mitosis run amok", and then asks students if they know someone who has or had cancer. Practically all students in the class raise their hands. Many are eager to share stories about loved ones who have survived cancer, as well as those who have succumbed to the disease. (Contains 6 color enhanced figures, and one color photograph.)