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november 

:: features ::lung cancer an

pancreatic canc

lcome back to awareness—the Survivor & Patient Advocacy department’s

wsletter for advocates. As the leaves are changing here in Philadelphia,

continually are things within our department, including the structure of the

wsletter. We wrapped up an excellent Scientist<->Survivor Program at the

ence of Cancer Health Disparities Conference in Miami, FL at the begin-g of October. But just as things looked to be winding down, we’ve already

gun gearing up for the SSP at the 2011 AACR 102nd Annual Meeting.

plications are now available online: apply today!

magazine published their Fall Issue, with a special feature titled Home-

s With Cancer , written by one of our very own advocates, Cynthia Ryan.

sure to read the story, and check the Survivor & Patient Advocacy website

an upcoming dialogue between two advocates on cancer and homeless-

ss. This issue of CR also includes a Q&A with Jai Pausch, the wife of 

ndy Pausch, whose ‘Last Lecture’ video on the importance of living life to

fullest went viral shortly before his death from pancreatic cancer in 2008.

is now a passionate advocate for pancreatic cancer—she talks about life

er Randy in a recent CR podcast, A New Life. As November is Pancreatic

ncer Awareness Month, as well as National Family Caregiver Month, we

cided to spotlight pancreatic cancer caregivers in this month’s awareness.

ee volunteers from the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network were gra-

us enough to comment on their experience as a caregiver to a pancreatic

cer patient in their family.

vember is also nationally recognized as Lung Cancer Awareness Month,

d we’ve included many links to articles and resources targeted toward ad-

ates on both lung and pancreatic cancer. As always, check out the events

tion for ways to get involved in your communty. And of course, keep thedback coming to advocacy@aacr.org on how to make awareness even

ter for the next issue.

st,

e Survivor & Patient Advocacy Team

AACR in the News

fruits and vegetables

Cancer Therapy

 

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:: spotlight on pancreatic cancer caregivers ::

PA: How did you come to adopt your role as a caregiver?

odd: Fortunately, I wasn’t the only caregiver for my father, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2001. My-

other, brother, sister and sister-in-law were always willing to lend a hand and as they say, “The more the merrier.” I

ways helps when you have a team of people to give support and share the responsibilities (TEAM = “Together Eve

ne Achieves More”). When I learned of the uphill battle that he was facing, I knew I had to be there for him whenev

ay off to travel with him to his chemotherapy visits or the hospital for any additional procedures he might have need

was important for me to spend as much time with my father as possible and constantly remain upbeat and optimis

o matter what obstacles were presented.

PA: With such a low survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients, what is the greatest challenge to providing optimis

are?

ndrea: The greatest challenge to providing optimistic care is not to be caught up in the statistics and to focus on ea

ay that we were given with my mother. My mother lived her life as a “glass half full” type of person and refused to g

to the notion that just because the survival rate was low, she was being given no chance for survival. We spent eve

ay living life as though nothing had changed, despite all the doctors’ appointments, treatments, and bad news. It is

mportant to focus on what you can control; providing comfort and care to your loved one, and making the best decis

r their course of treatment.

PA: What do you feel is the greatest reward to being a pancreatic cancer caregiver?

olleen: While caring for my mom was one of the greatest challenges in my life, it was also one of my greatest acco

y her family, who was providing the most loving care possible. Even though my mom suffered throughout her illnes

comforting to know that her life ended as peacefully as possible.

PA: Has being a caregiver led you toward considering yourself to be an advocate for pancreatic cancer as well? W

r why not?

olleen: Absolutely! For several reasons: 1) It is a way to carry on my mom’s memory. I do this for her as much as I

r others who have been, or will be, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It’s my way of saying, “Mom, I haven’t forgo

rs don’t have to endure the same thing. It’s a horrible disease and no one deserves it.

PA: Could you recommend any particular resources you found helpful when you began care giving that you’d want

ass on to fellow cancer caregivers?

odd: The Survivor and Caregiver network of PANCAN puts patients and their families in touch with people who can

hare their experiences, ask questions and offer support. All of our services are free of charge and patient informatio

ain positive. Miracles do happen and if you can keep thinking that you’re going to beat the odds and defeat pancre

ancer, you’re just another in the line of people who continue to create hope for others in beating this insidious disea

nd, to borrow a line from the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, “making cancer history.” 

osis and grasping what has just been handed to you. In addition, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pan

rg) is an amazing resource for anyone affected by Pancreatic Cancer. The Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) is omprehensive, free, information service for pancreatic cancer patients, their families, and health professionals.

Three pancreatic cancer caregivers—all of whom volunteer for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network—share the

stories of the challenges and rewards of being a care giver. One of the deadliest cancers, pancreatic cancer surviv

ates have remained stagnant—at only six percent—for the past 40 years. Survivorship remains so low because the

s still no early detection method and no effective treatment. According to PANCAN, by 2030, new diagnoses of pan

reatic cancer are projected to rise 55 percent. While these statistics are discouraging, it is comforting to know that

ever-growing network of pancreatic cancer caregivers and advocates exists. Todd Cohen, Colleen Kmiecik, and An

rea Bauer all graciously contributed their voices on caregiving to the Survivor & Patient Advocacy department (SPA

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:: resources for pancreatic cancer advocates ::

A recent Q&A in the Fall Issue of CR magazine featured Jai Pausch, whose husband, Randy Pausch, died of 

Pancreatic Cancer. Randy is known for his work as a professor at Carnegie Mellon, when his ‘Last Lecture’

in September 2007 went viral on YouTube. As NCI only allots two percent of their funding toward pancreatic

cancer research, Jai, and many others who have been affected by pancreatic cancer. An outspoken advocate

for increasing funding and awareness funding for pancreatic cancer research, Jai continues to advocate on her 

husband’s behalf:

 A New Life CR Podcast

How can YOU get involved as an advocate for pancreatic cancer?

Start by focusing on the top legislative and funding priorities by:

funding to protect on-going research and provide new research opportunities for pancreatic cancer 

Be inspired by a model advocacy campaign:

PANCAN’s ‘Be a Hero’ CampaignJoin in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer: Know It. Fight It. End It.

The campaign focuses on two areas:

2) Activating the organization’s base of supporters to take one simple action every day

The Hero Campaign runs from September 14 to November 30 in the hopes of heightening awareness of the

disease.

Also, here is a comprehensive info sheet to distribute: Pancreatic Cancer Facts 2010

photo of the month ::

the 2010 SSP participants at the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Miami, FL