when a friend is hurting

This beast is attacking my friend right now and I feel so freaking helpless. How could we send people to the moon, erect cities of skyscrapers, dive down to the depths of the sea, develop string theory, get up every morning and drive cars that were made by robots, how could we do this and so much more, yet have nothing but broken hearts to give to our friends who are suffering from cancer. How can it be?