I had the same kind of thought after Christopher Reeve became paralyzed after his accident. I would think to myself "was he championing this cause prior to his accident? Then he doesn't deserve that much credit for doing it now, when it will benefit him".
Then I realized - it doesn't matter. The fact that someone noticeable shines a light on a cause and makes it more likely to receive some form of advances or help is laudable, if for no other reason than it increases the amount of time that we all think about these things and realize that it can affect any of us.
The only time I get frustrated about things like this is when I tell myself "yeah, but no one's helping out with my priority." But my priority is just as "selfish" - a friend of mine has a disease that gets almost no press. Still, why not cheer for those who spend any amount of time helping others? As soon as they cure / find treatments for these diseases, they'll have time to get to my friend's.
So... I understand where you're coming from. But I think spending any amount of time denigrating someone for trying to help (even if it helps him- or herself) is counterproductive.
Then I realized - it doesn't matter. The fact that someone noticeable shines a light on a cause and makes it more likely to receive some form of advances or help is laudable, if for no other reason than it increases the amount of time that we all think about these things and realize that it can affect any of us.
The only time I get frustrated about things like this is when I tell myself "yeah, but no one's helping out with my priority." But my priority is just as "selfish" - a friend of mine has a disease that gets almost no press. Still, why not cheer for those who spend any amount of time helping others? As soon as they cure / find treatments for these diseases, they'll have time to get to my friend's.
So... I understand where you're coming from. But I think spending any amount of time denigrating someone for trying to help (even if it helps him- or herself) is counterproductive.