I am proud to serve as the Honorary Chair for PurpleStride New York City this year to benefit the critical mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. On April 21, I will join you and thousands of others in New York City to make a difference by supporting this important cause.
Like many of you, I have been deeply affected by this devastating disease. My husband, Patrick Swayze, fought this formidable enemy for 22 months before succumbing to it in September 2009.
Even though Patrick is gone, the fight against pancreatic cancer remains. It hasn’t been easy, but my determination and passion to continue to fight this disease in his honor is motivated by the many volunteers and survivors who I’ve met and the progress we are making.
Despite the fact that pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, the disease has no early detection method and few effective treatment options are available for patients. It is the only one of the top ten cancer killers with a five-year survival rate in the single digits, a statistic that has not improved significantly in more than 40 years.
We must work together to change these odds for all of our friends and loved ones who now face this disease as well as the many thousands who will be diagnosed in the future.
PurpleStride New York City pays tribute to all those lost to pancreatic cancer. The event also empowers those currently battling the disease with the hope that one day, with your help, we can put an end to pancreatic cancer. Please join me in creating hope and being part of this truly amazing effort!
Please support the important work of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and their goal of doubling the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020. Register today at www.purplestride.org. Sign up as an individual or form a team to walk together, and join with thousands of others on April 21 in making strides toward a cure.
Thank you for supporting this important cause!
Sincerely,
Lisa Niemi Swayze
Hi Lisa
Its great that you continue to support the PurpleStride in honour of Patrick as I believe it helps so many people to know that you are still taking part and carrying on caring about finding out how to fight this dreadful cancer, I still give my support to the C.F. Research to help to find out how to fight this awful desease also in memory of my hubby as it has touched my life so deeply and to help support them makes me feel I may help in the future to find how to help those who suffer so such painful and a short life, find out how to control this desease and give them a better quality of life in the future as the more support we give to the research the more hope we give to those suffering these terrible conditions.
Well carry on your great work Lisa and keep steady with your baby steps and have a Happy Easter God bless you love Julie xxox
It’s great what you do for this disease, to perpetuate that Patrick had begun and to think about all the peopleswho will be saved in the future thanks to the efforts of all. Wethose seeking a cure for this terrible disease are all proud of you and your work. Thank you and go on to give hope to all peple who suffer and to support those seeking a cure for this terrible disease.
Dear Lisa,
Unfortunately I can’t be there in person, but I possess many purple clothes and shoes (it’s my favourite colour), so I will wear them on April 21 and I hope that counts also… My thoughts and prayers will be in NYC!
It’s a great what you do, keep going!
Tani
Hiya Lisa,
I am certain your Buddy is so very proud and extremely honoured to have his wonderful, intelligent wife continuing to fight this despicable illness in his memory… In the meantime Lisa I hope your Easter, although difficult, is an enjoyable one if that’s an appropriate word with friends, and family to keep your spirits up! Much love & hugs the Evans clan xx
Such a wonderful letter, Lisa! I know your Buddy is beyond proud of you. And, I wish I could be there with you and all of the other advocates helping paint NYC PURPLE! I think PurpleStride is such an outstanding way to promote awareness while gaining money for research. Speaking of research, I just sent my congress members another email concerning the Research and Education Act. I hope you have a very Happy Easter! As always, much love to you! XX.
Thank you on behalf of all of us who have lost loved ones to this hideous disease. Pancreatic cancer takes no prisoners There is very little hope after diagnosis as its usually too late. There is an urgent need tp establish early detection methods. While sadly it wont help my late husband Bon or your dear husband “Buddy” recover, better funding for research could spare countless others from the terrible pain of loss. your voice represents the voiceless (victims of this disease). I know we all salute you for getting out in front and not taking this disease in stride. Applause for your efforts!!
NY would be so cool to attend! My family is going to try and particiape in MN later this year in honor/memory of both my grandmothers. It is so great that you have brought awareness to this terrible disease. It’s so hard sometimes, but through the bad hands we are delt in life we have to try and find a way to use it for good and you certainly are doing that.
Lisa,
I wish I could be there walking with you and the thousands of families affected by this disease, but alas I cannot. I will be there with you in spirit, cheering you and everyone else on. I know I’ve said this before, but you truly are an inspiration my dear. I really believe that someday with your great leadership and the support of many others there will be a cure for this deadly disease. Your struggle to end this disease reminds me of a quote, “Together with her I’ll keep on pushing, keep on believing, because that in the end is the greatest gift we have” Patrick is still fighting right alongside with you against this disease and will continue to do so. I send you all my love during the Purple Stride walk in NYC. God bless you beautiful lady!
Love,
Nikki
Looking forward to seeing you at PurpleStride NYC. What you’re doing to bring pancreatic cancer to the foreground is so admirable! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Know it. Fight it. End it!
Do you still live in Rancho Bizarro, Lisa?
Dear Lisa,
I Can’t be in NY . But I will wear purple clothes and find purple flowers on April 21.
Je vous embrasse
clémentine
Doctors at the university at heidelberg, germany testing an oral vaccination of patients who can not undergo surgery or have already metastases.
The vaccine consists of an attenuated bacterium: It forms a protein that is located on blood vessels of tumors.
Immune cells recognize this in the gut as a hostile and destroy the tumor vasculature. In laboratory tests it works already.
The clinical examination should indicate whether the vaccine is proven with patients.
There is always HOPE which is bigger than the ocean!!!!
Keep helping to bring this to everyone’s attention. Patrick would be proud to know you are bringing this fight against pancreatic cancer to the attention of many. I feel he is by your side giving you the strength you need to do this. God Bless and keep fighting for this cause.
Word Patricia!!!
You’re right, to go out to the world, in front of people and stand up for this cause it remarkable!!!
Go for it Lisa … wish you much power and light!
Today April 21th is the 1st anniversary of the death of a dear friend who passed of pancreatic cancer. I was
so uplifted to see and hear Lisa on a TV program this morning. As I went through the 2 and a half year battle of pancreatic cancer with my friend, Patrick’s courage, marriage and even his movies were inspirations to us. Thank you Lisa and may God continue to bless and uphold you in these fine endeavors
My dear aunt is 6 months past the diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
She has just been told that surgery will now not be an option. Chemo is
no longer being offered.
It is so very sad to see the progression of the disease take over.
Thank you for your voice and dedication to fighting this disease, the worst
and most minimally funded cancers!
With more awareness and more voices maybe one day we will have a cure!
I say that day WILL come when there better and more effective options for treating pancreatic cancer. We’re all going to make sure of that! In the meantime, good luck to your Aunt. I’ve run into many people that done well in their fight against this disease. I wish her the best.
Mrs. Swayze,
I live in TN and wanted to bring your attention to a 15 year old young man who has been diagnosed with Stage IV Adult Pancreatic Cancer. His name is Trey Erwin. He is displaying amazing strength, courage, and faith. His community of Collierville, TN has shown an outpouring of support as well.
Young men such as Trey shouldn’t be faced with this adult killer. I was led to help Trey as I live in Knoxville and have helped put together a weekend for Trey to be an “honorary alumni” of the University of Tennessee. Trey’s Make a Wish trip to Hawaii is on May 6. I happened to be working out this morning and saw you on CBS Morning Show. I felt like that was meant to be, thus my email, to introduce you to Trey and his story in hopes that you might reach out to the family to make the nation aware of this incredible young man and the terrible disease and prognosis he now faces. I have attached links to his caring bridge page and twitter page. You can simply google Trey Erwin and find some local television interviews.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email.
Amanda
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/treyerwin
twitter: #prayfortrey
Is there a way that we can contact Trey and let him know that that many, many people are
standing with him? He’s so young, and this is a battle that needs all the forces to conquer it, including
the emotional support. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Mrs. Swayze,
I don’t know if this is the proper forum but I felt compelled to contact you. I have recently came across news of your recent book and your involvement with fighting pancreatic cancer. I found it synchronistic since my cousin was just recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a couple of days ago and I am doing a Liver/Gallbladder flush that started 6 days ago. The Liver/Gallbladder flush was spurred by some back pain and being informed about the energetic blockage in the area around liver/gallbladder/pancreas by a traditional chinese medicine doctor. This sparked a concern about the pancreas and the damage and stress that could be done by congestion caused by stones. I have read that one of the causes of pancreatic cancer is gallstones. I immediately began the cleanse/flush of the liver where the gallstones form. It was during this time that I received news of my cousin’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer raising concerns of the condition of my pancreas. I have not had a sonogram of the pancreas and I don’t have healthcare at this time. I hope that this cleanse will be successful to heal any damage/stress on these organs. My second flush I was able to remove about a hundred stones. From my understanding the liver is the second most complex organ in our system second only to the brain. These three organs (liver-gallbladder-pancreas-colon) are vital to our overall well being.
I mention this to consider this Flush as a major preventative and healing measure to save lives. I wonder whether your husband had gallstones and suffered gallstone attacks and had back pain. I hope that you will look into this topic and considered this procedure as part of your campaign against pancreatic cancer and help those before one becomes diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as well as those already diagnosed.
Thank you, Joe
Thanks for your information, Joe. However, I have never heard that gallstones can be one of the causes of pancreatic cancer. And while I don’t know what effect a liver flush would have on someone with PC, I do know that someone fighting this disease has to be very careful about certain treatments (things like colonics can be detrimental), so I would recommend consulting their doctor before launching into aggressive alternative treatments and supplements. That’s what Patrick and I did. Many doctors are open to other treatments, as long as it isn’t harmful to the patient. Thanks, L
Dear Lisa,
It was very hopefully your support and presence in purplestride NYC for pancreatic cancer action network.
People has been living this disease, called pancreatic cancer or whathever of these, knows how difficult is to go through it and to be cured finally with success. The path is longer, most longer that one could imagine, but if in this path one find people like you wanted helping people , then this is most short, hopefully and nice.
Thanks in my name and i think in thousand people through for the same trouble. For to be there always. People with this disease needs a friendly voice, famous people like you do an interesting and amazing work with us, and overall not forget that anybody can fall down and being ill in no matter what moment. Everybody are human beings but no eternal( in March2008 did four years since my operation on myself, no pancreatic, but another kind of cancer , overall in women), and my gratitude for you is incredible. I’m fine now, but with your blog much better yet. You are an example to follow for all this, and for your support and love to Patrick .
All the best for you dear XL
Maite Sánchez
Dear Lisa,
My Fiance was diagnoised with Metaststic Pancreatic Cancer on this day after more than 10 months of guessing.Now he has been given less than a year. My heart is broken and I just want to say Thank you for all you do in this fight against this monster disease. You are truely a blessing. Sincerely Catherine
It is my pleasure. Thank you! L
Lisa
I just finished reading your latest book. I cried throughout the entire book. I lost my brother and his wife to Pancreatic cancer both at the age of 56. Every test, chemo and infection you two went through my loved ones faced the same battles. This disease is so brutal and it doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or how much money you make the ending result is the same. God bless you for taking such good care of Buddy as he was one of my favorite actors. I was so heart broken when his diagnosis came out. I knew the long hard road that you two faced. He was so very lucky to have you and his family to take care of him. I too can relate to those awful hospital cots… I giggled inside when I read that part… My brother lived in NJ and I in Syracuse. My sister and I would take turns bringing my parents to NJ to visit and we would give his family a break and sleep in the room with my brother as he didn’t want to be alone.
Keep up the good work and I think if our paths ever crossed we could become good friends. God bless and take care of all those wonderful animals you have!!! I just adore animals
My best to you, Danielle. XL
http://news.yahoo.com/video/baltimorewj Hi Lisa, I think you will like this story it is about a break through in early detection of pancreatic cancer! When I so the video i was so excite i had to share it with i hope you like it.
