Baby Boomers Patrick Swayze was in the Fight!

News like this always saddens me. It reminds me of the valiant fight that my sister went through 7 years ago with Pancreatic cancer. Yes, it is a killer now, but with more research and early detection perhaps it doesn't have to a death sentence. Consider a contribution to http://pancan.org








September 14, 2009

Dear Friends,

The staff of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, its Board of Directors, and I are deeply saddened by the loss of beloved actor Patrick Swayze, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer today, September 14, 2009. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Lisa Niemi, and the entire Swayze family.

On January 7th, we watched in awe as Patrick spoke so vehemently to Barbara Walters about his fight against this devastating disease. He exuded an impassioned sense of hope, and a true belief that he would be able to make it long enough to find a cure. He told Barbara Walters, "I want to last until they find a cure, which means I'd better get a fire under it."

He graciously participated in the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) televised broadcast on September 8, 2008, where he received a standing ovation. The money raised through SU2C is funding five dream teams and one of them has received an $18 million grant to support pancreatic cancer research. I am honored to serve as the advocate on the pancreatic cancer dream team and we have great hope that this project will advance pancreatic cancer research to a whole new level. Patrick’s participation in this effort is just one of many ways that his public battle served as a beacon of hope for the pancreatic cancer community.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. There are no early detection tools, few treatment options and no cure for this very difficult disease. In the past year a tremendous amount of momentum has been building in the pancreatic cancer research community to further scientific progress. The time is now. We need you now more than ever to fight this terrible disease with us. Please join our efforts and "get a fire under it." Here’s what you can do right away:

Tell Congress why they must make pancreatic cancer a priority and support the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, (HR745). Click now to take action and get involved.

Together, we can "light a fire under it" to honor the memory of Patrick Swayze and all those who have gone before him, as well as all those who "want to last” until a cure is found.

Sincerely,


Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA
President and CEO
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network