Other Stories

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There are heroes everywhere. A doctor who found the disease early enough to treat it. A family member or friend who found the information to help someone make informed decisions. A caregiver who provided support through the darkest hours. A patient determined to beat the odds. Family and friends carrying on in the fight to build awareness for the disease that took their loved one's life.

We see the strength and power of people in the fight against pancreatic cancer in the everyday action they take—heroic action. We share these stories below. They come from survivors, volunteers and advocates who share them with us. These stories encourage us every single day to make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer. You can read them below and you can share your own story with us. Click here to "Share your hero story" and tell us about the heroes in your life.

Be a hero in the fight against pancreatic cancer: Know it. Fight it. End it.

HERO STORY: PHIL

Central Point, Oregon

"The trust that Phil felt [clinical trials] was paramount to his treatment. No promises were made nor expectations proffered."

On the last day of September 2012, my partner and clinical trial participant did not become one of the treasured survivors that those with pancreatic cancer hope to be. Two years after being diagnosed, Phil had completed over eight clinical trials at Virginia Mason in Seattle. Under the care of a renowned research oncologist and his team, he was mid-way in the latest new trial. Prior to this, his cancer had stabilized and even reduced some. Story Continued >>

HERO STORY: My Uncle Bruce

Baltimore, Maryland

"I hope soon there will be an early detection system for this deadly disease so we can all hold onto our loved ones and they can live their lives to the fullest."

My uncle Bruce was always a great supporter of my family, and never missed one of my dance performances. He was a quiet man, with a dry sense of humor and a passion for anything outdoors. In March 2005, at age 47, Uncle Bruce lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. I hope that someday (soon!) there will be an early detection system for this deadly disease, so we can all hold onto our loved ones and they can live their lives to the fullest. Story Continued >>

HERO STORY: MY DAD

Cherry Hill, New Jersey

"Pancreatic cancer may win many battles among those unfortunate, but if all of us join together in this fight we can be sure to win the war."

My Father was 63 years young when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011. Doctors told him he had approximately two months to live, but he stayed alive fighting for 7 months before he died in May 2012. His fight was a true inspiration to me on his strength, positive focus on life, love for his family, and most importantly Faith. Though the disease beat him, I saw determination in the eyes of his doctors to keep him alive even though they had such limitation on treatment. Story Continued >>

MY HERO: MY MOM

McKinney, Texas

"I am asking one million people to donate one dollar to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in honor of my mom."

My name is Carole and my life was dramatically changed on September 20, 2011. On that day, my mom called me on her way home from a doctor’s appointment to tell me that she had pancreatic cancer. We learned much later that it was Stage IV. My immediate response was “how do we fix it?” Her reply was “we don’t.” My mom could move mountains and to hear her say that something was not fixable was beyond jarring. All I knew about this type of cancer was that Patrick Swayze died from it. Story Continued >>

HERO STORY: MY MOM

Edgefield, South Carolina

"Thanks so much for supporting the fight against pancreatic cancer. I wish not one more daughter has to lose her mother."

In July 2003 my mother and I received the diagnosis that would forever change our lives. My father had passed away in Feb. from ALS, only a few months before. Now here I face losing my last parent at the age of 23. After many rounds of radiation and chemotherapy my mom went in for her whipple surgery. The scans had showed the tumor shrinking but in fact it was not. Surgery could not be completed and my mom lived maybe 3 months afterwards.It's been really hard not having my mom. I have had another little girl and my sister has had her first child. Story Continued >>

Hero Volunteer: Christina

Orlando, Florida

"I know that what I am doing right now is helping hundreds of others who are going through the battle my family went through. Daily I meet volunteers who are as lost as I was during that time."

I will never forget the day I heard my PawPaw had cancer. My PawPaw (Minus John Leleaux), died after only two short months of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It all started with a visit to his dermatologist for what he thought was an ingrown hair on his chin. The “C” word was said for the first time after his first visit to the hospital for an overnight stay of "additional testing". The biopsy tested positive for adenocarcinoma of the skin. Story Continued >>

Pancreatic cancer is the ONLY major cancer with a five-year survival rate still in the single digits at just 6%. With your help, we can change this deadly statistic.