Home > Gwinnett > Rick Badie / My Opinion > Archives > 2008 > November > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPancreatic cancer fight worth joining
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brittany Black’s grandfather had experienced chronic back pain for several years. Doctors treated it with cortisone shots, which only masked the pain.
One morning he came into the kitchen of his Lawrenceville home. “Look at my eyes,” he asked his family. “Do I look yellow?”
“His eyes were as yellow as they could be,” Black said. “His skin was yellowing.”
Clyde Monday was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer on Aug. 17, 2005. He underwent surgery Aug. 26 and died 10 days later.
Apparently that’s the way it is with cases of pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancerous deaths in the country. Of the nearly 40,000 Americans diagnosed this year, practically all of them will die.
Early symptoms — among them pain in the back or abdomen, nausea and weight loss — are vague and common to other ills. Pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose because the organ hides behind other organs and can’t be felt in routine exams. Moreover, there’s no test like the mammogram for breast cancer or the PSA for prostate cancer.
It doesn’t have to be this way, Black said. She’s the founder of the Atlanta chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), one of more than 70 volunteer-run affiliates in the country. The national non-profit network, based in California, promotes the advancement of education, awareness and scientific research.
This is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. To that end, the local PanCAN chapter is to host its annual 5K run/walk Nov. 15 in Grant Park. The goal is to raise $100,000. So far, individuals and corporate donors have contributed $77,000. Atlanta will also be the site of a free all-day symposium on March 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel on 14th Street.
“Our affiliates are our eyes and ears on the ground, our voice,” said Mary-Jo Kennedy, PanCAN’s director of community outreach. “It’s not just about raising money. It’s about education, awareness and advocacy. Education is a really big part of our events.”
For Black, involvement is a way to honor the life of a man who was more of a father than a grandfather.
“I volunteer, really, to give hope to families,” said Black, a Midtown resident who works in commercial real estate. “This organization can walk you through the steps you need to take care of your loved one. I’ve seen the changes that have been made in Atlanta. People come up to me with tears in their eyes to say, ‘Thanks.’ If I save one person, it totally makes it worthwhile.”
For more information about the Pancreatic Cancer Network, visit www.pancan.org. To pre-register for the “Purple Stride Atlanta Walk,” go to http://pancan.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=284819.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Services »
Comments
By lea
November 8, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Thank you, Rick, for spreading the word! I appreciate you and your writing skills very much!!!!!
By Nick
November 8, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the article. My father died of pancreatic cancer about a year ago, less than 70 days after being diagnosed as stage 4. I’ll definitely be at the walk on the 15th.
By Sarah
November 8, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks for bringing this cause to light for Atlanta - after my brother died of pancreatic cancer this year (just days after my friend’s father, and months after both were diagnosed), I was amazed at how many friends and colleagues have also lost a loved one to this disease. With awareness and research, we have a much better chance of treating pancreatic cancer, as we can with so many other diseases.
By nana
November 8, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
I know this is off topic but I was wondering if anyone has read the article about the trash service contracts being awarded. One of the two contracts were awarded to Waste Pro at a cost of over $60.00 per quarter or over $20.00 per month. It will lower in June or July but not by much to over $17.00 per month. We have this company now as our trash company. Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful’s website has a link to myths/truths. They allege that it is a myth that the trash service will cost more under them. That is a lie. We pay 30% less with Waste Pro now. Apparently the customers will pay the trash company for the first several months and then the charges will be added to our property taxes. What a sham.
By nana
November 8, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Sorry Rick forgot to tell you this is a good article and it is a horrible disease. Thanks for the info and again sorry for the “off topic” post about the trash company. Since this is a gwinnett opionion page…. had to put it out there.
By Michael H. Smith
November 8, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
I think what would accommodate the off-topic comments would be a “What’s Begging You Gwinnett?” blog or a “Gwinnett Rage Page”.
Just a blathering suggestion. Otherwise…….
Nice article and good cause to keep in mind. Very few people can say cancer of some sort or type has not touched them or someone close to them.
By Michael H. Smith
November 8, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
I think what would accommodate the off-topic comments would be a “What’s Bugging You Gwinnett?” blog or a “Gwinnett Rage Page”.
Just a blathering suggestion. Otherwise…….
Nice article and good cause to keep in mind. Very few people can say cancer of some sort or type has not touched them or someone close to them.
By Carolyn
November 8, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Thank you, Rick, for spreading information and publicizing PurpleStride Atlanta 5k Run/Walk at Grant Park on November 15, 2008. I joined the Atlanta affiliate at its first planning meeting in the summer of 2005, just two months after my 57-years young husband of only 4 months died from pancreatic cancer just 5 months after being diagnosed. I’ve actively volunteered ever since. So little progress had been made in detection and treatment, and nothing toward cure, for decades when my fiancée was diagnosed. In fact, his grandfather had died from the same disease, yet more than 40 years later, doctors had nothing new to offer in 2004. We were given no hope, just a death sentence. Now, as awareness spreads and funding increases, promising research is being conducted in many areas. Scientists are on the brink of important new discoveries to save and extend lives, giving increased hope to newly diagnosed patients and their families. Like Brittany, I believe every person PanCAN helps through services and volunteers honors those loved ones we have lost. No one should have to experience the devastating effects of this terrible, silent killer. Not so long ago, patients diagnosed with Leukemia, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, and others were given no hope, and now there are early diagnoses and treatments that work. The time for Pancreatic Cancer early detection, improved treatment options and finding a cure is NOW. There is power in numbers. Let’s keep raising our voices! Thanks again for your support. Hope to see you on the 15th.
By lea's mom
November 8, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Thank you for your informative article, Rick. Public awareness was the beginning of saving lives from breast cancer, colon cancer, etc., and educating people about pancreatic cancer and the need for a cure is the beginning of saving lives from this horrible disease.
By NOWICUNVME
November 8, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Any type of cancer is horrible, but I think pancreatic is one of the worst forms. I think this is what Patrick Swayze is battling now, and like the article mentions the screening is hard and prognosis is grim after diagnosis.
Great awareness article Mr. Badie. Hopefully some of the bloggers can release some hot air off for something good. Including me. :}}
By Heather
November 8, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks Rick for the article on Pancreatic Cancer. My uncle passed away after a long 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer last year. He was the rock of my family and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. I am so glad that the ajc is helping to get the word out about this horrible disease and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Hope to see everyone at the walk next Saturday!!!
By American Mother
November 9, 2008 5:33 AM | Link to this
So HOW do you get tested? I hava had terrible back pain for about 2 years, and have lost a LOT of weight, but I thought this was all MY doing? I am being treated for the back and have regular physicals, pap smears. mammograms etc., so do I start with showing this article to my primary care physician?
What was the time frame on Black’s grandfather’s back pain and the yellowing?
You have given me cause to THINK more about this……….Thank you!
By American Mother
November 9, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
Oh, and I commend Black for what she is doing and am so sorry for her loss.
By Tom Becker
November 9, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
What is the data on Pancreatic Cancer? How rare is it? Who survives? If you’re a female living in Cyprus, your chances of getting Pancreatic cancer are only 2 in 100 thousand. If you’re a male in Hungary, your chances of getting pancreatic cancer are 17 in 100 thousand.
How long do you have to live with Pancreatic Cancer? In five years, less than five percent survive.
Pancreatic cancer is a monster, with 30,000 deaths per year in the USA. Traffic deaths are 40K per year.
the odds seem 2B 1/100K. The odds of getting some form of cancer are nearly 100percent over your lifetime. The trick here is that cancer is a natural part of the life cycle of our bodies, which usually defeat and destroy the cancer naturally. In rare occasions, the cancer figures out a way to beat the body’s defenses and a tumor forms.
Otherwise, the average person contracts and then defeats cancers on a continual basis.
Fact.
By Jan
November 9, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Thank you for writing about this terrible disease and please keep up the good work. My dear mother, who had vague abdominal complaints for years, died 21 days after diagnosis. Another dear friend lived for about one year with cancer treatment. It is a terrible disease that needs funding for research as it becomes very commom disease rather than rare. Thank you again.
By Howard
November 9, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Thank you Rick for a well written article about a terrible disease. We must get the word out so that we can raise awareness and find a cure. I have battled this disease for nearly 6 years and am excited about the recent advances toward an eventual cure. Also, I cannot thank Brittany enough for her wonderful job in leading our Atlanta group. She and her family are an inspiration to us all.
By lea
November 9, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
TO AMERICAN MOM: I am NOT a dr. so can’t give medical advice, but I can offer observations and personal experience that may be useful.
—-I can definitely suggest calling the PALS line at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to tell them your concerns and see what they say and/or any info. they can provide about seeing further assistance and/or how to bring things up with your dr. Their contact info. is at the end of this e-mail.
—-It’s rare among the people I know that the family doctor diagnoses PC — in my late husband’s case, the family dr. offered us a CT scan in eight weeks. My husband was in pain and I thought waiting that amount of time was outrageous, so I took him to the emergency roomm at Emory Univ. Hospital while he was in pain and they did NOT stop until they were well on their way to a solution. My late husband was diagnosed in six weeks — and lived for a miraculous three years — as a result of their determination in the Emory ER.
—-The type of doctor who often diagnoses PC and/or rules it out is a gastroenterologist. Your doctor or others might be able to help you find one.
—-Some of the types of tests that are used to diagnose situations with the pancreas include CT scans, MRIs, and endoscopy tests, among others. Sometimes it takes more than one test to show what’s up — the pancreas is a very well-protected organ, so that makes seeing what’s going on in there a challenge!
—-And finally, remember that PC can varied and vague symptoms that people experience in different ways — and that the abdomen and gut are filled with all kinds of amazing structures that may get out of whack to various degrees. Remain focused and calm and push confidently and assertively until you are satisfied with the answers you get, no matter what they are. I hope you get answers that are fixable and are as far from PC as possible!
PALS contact info. for you: Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Pacific Time)
Toll-free: 877.272.6226
Email: pals@pancan.org
By Alicia
November 10, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Thank you, Rick, for the article about my father Clyde and my daughter Brittany who is leading an amazing group of volunteers in Atlanta committed to raising awareness about Pancreatic Cancer. We are greatfull for you publicizing our PurpleStride Atlanta 5k Run/Walk at Grant Park this Saturday, on November 15, 2008.
By Alicia
November 10, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Thank you, Rick, for the article about my father Clyde and my daughter Brittany who is leading an amazing group of volunteers in Atlanta committed to raising awareness about Pancreatic Cancer. We are grateful for you publicizing our PurpleStride Atlanta 5k Run/Walk at Grant Park this Saturday, on November 15, 2008.
By Tab
November 10, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Thanks for this great article. We have to do everything we can to educate people of this illness and work to raise money to find a way of detecting earlier. I too, lost my father within a matter of days of his diagnosis. Let’s keep trying to give the pancreatic cancer patients a fighting chance!
By Michelle
November 10, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Someone posted some unusual statistics regarding pancreatic cancer. Here are actual FACTS directly from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network:
Best of luck with the walk Brittany - you are doing a terrific job!
By Stephanie Vonarx
November 10, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Dear Rick,
I wanted to thank you so much for your article on pancreatic cancer and helping to spread much needed awareness for this disease. My mother passed away from pancreatic cancer 5 years ago after a short four month battle. She was only 55. It’s going to take more voices like yours to give the proper attention to this disease and I really appreciate your support. If we continue to generate this awareness and raise funds for research, we can find an early detection method and ultimately, a cure! I’ll be at the walk on Saturday with a 30 person strong team walking in memory of my mother and all those who have lost their lives to this terrible disease.
By LT5000
November 11, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Illegal immigrants cause pancreatic cancer. Them and socialists.
By LT <3 RB
November 11, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Repressed homosexuals with a crush on the columnist cause pancreatic cancer, too.