Cancer Survivor Offers Hope to Others

Jeffrey Ross of Laguna Beach, CA underwent 12 hours of surgery for pancreatitis then found out biopsies of his pancreas proved malignant.

"Three weeks post-surgery I began the first of 35 daily radiation treatments and weekly gemcitabine and cisplatin chemo infusions, followed by three additional infusion treatments post-radiation," he said. "By November 2003 I had gone from 180 to 135 pounds."

Ross said life is a series of challenges but every day is a blessing. He is now completely free of cancer.

A friend of mine Charlie is in the hospital for the second time with pancreatitis.

Gene Reynolds, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in September after a seven-month battle, was an engineer for Union Pacific Railroad in Fort Worth, TX. This week I learned that the company will name a street in the rail yard after him.

Shay Lerner Schwartz became a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) supporter last fall when she made a donation to the 2nd Annual Walk for Survival in West Palm Beach/Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her gesture was consistent with a life spent helping others, says a PanCAN rep. Sadly, Schwartz lost her battle with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

"Shay Schwartz will be missed by many people," said the rep.

Every year in the U.S., thousands of people designate a portion of their assets by bequest to benefit charitable organizations. You can leave a legacy gift to PanCAN by naming them as a beneficiary of your will or living trust, insurance policy, or IRA/retirement plan.

Join the TeamHOPE Marathon Team for the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon Jan. 28 by committing to raise $2,900 for PanCAN. By signing up each team member receives a race entry, round trip airfare to Miami, hotel accommodations based on double occupancy, "virtual" or in-person coaching by Club 26.2, a team celebration, and more. You can register online at pancan.org/miamimarathon.

"Open Mike" night for PanCAN will be held Nov. 18th in Ludlow, Massachusetts. For information, email amatthews@pancan.org.

The Third Annual TeamHOPE Walk, an indoor mall event, will be held March 11th in Albany, NY. For more information, email spaepke@pancan.org.

For more information on PanCAN, go to pancan.org.

According to a recent article in Cancer Compass, only 30 percent of cancer patients are offered nutrition guidance, based on an online poll conducted on their site.

In other cancer news, a nonsmoking cancer survivor has become a mighty crusader.

Janie Bond believes that years of smoking caused her kidney cancer though she never smoked.

Bond, 56, of Loganville, GA, grew up with a dad who smoked in the house, car, everywhere around her.

"Back then you didn't know that firsthand smoke was bad for you," she told a reporter.

Bond was diagnosed in October 2003 and had her right kidney removed shortly thereafter, according to an article.