I took this photo with this guy at Philadelphia’s PURPLESTRIDE, a Walk/Run to fight Pancreatic Cancer, a couple weeks ago. I like to call him –
“My Pancreatic Hugger Mugger”
Or how about…
“My Purple Pancreatic Mugger Brother”
Or…
“My Mugger From Another Mother”
Actually, my wonderful Mugger Brother carried a sign –
“Team Peggy Sent Me”
I liked it. It was like he was pretending he was some kind of alien sent to vanquish the enemy that took his loved one too soon. I love all the teams that attend these PURPLESTRIDES. I find it very moving that they are carrying on the torch for those who are no longer here to fight. I, of course, am…
“Team Patrick”
All that attended are fighting for their love ones, or for others, or are battling this tough disease themselves. But whether on a team, or not, all carry loved ones in their heart, are fighting for theirs, or others loved ones, or are “in the fight” against this terrible disease themselves. And they are so special.
I had also mused that our Purple Mugger Brother might have donned this costume so that he insures that our Pancreatic bill gets passed in Washington (now named the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act)! You know, he’d be waiting on a street corner in DC to accost any Senate member who that didn’t give his full support at the office! I figured that one way, or another, he’d get ‘em to cough up the cash and resources needed.
I’m joking of course, but must say that we are dedicated, passionate, and tireless bunch. Yeah! And we’re willing to do as much as it takes!
Speaking of which…
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. And I can’t think of a better month to have the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act finally pass. We made it through the House, and now, now…we need the Senate.
The 2012 election is over, and Congress is back after being home for the last six weeks.
There will be a very short period of time during which Congress will be in session before they adjourn for the year.
Therefore, we need to press hard for a vote on the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act in the Senate. To that end, I ask that those of you that reside in the U.S., contact your U.S. Senators via our Advocacy Action Center and encourage them to pass the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act before the end of the 112th Congress.
Go to (or copy and paste):
www.pancan.org/TakeAction
Ah! We need to get this bill passed this year! This is our opportunity. Let’s get it done!
With much gratitude.
Thank you Lisa for joining forces with us. We are all in this together and the more noise we raise, the less they can ignore us. As Pam from our California HQ reminds us, “this is a marathon, not a sprint”; but how I pray the Senate sprints us this year into the beginning of an important step. God bless you for bringing your celebrity influence to our fight!
Much love and admiration,
Karen Sharkey
Volunteer Advocacy Coordinator
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – Central Florida Affiliate
Back atcha!
HI PRETTY LADY,
I HAVE BEEN KEEPING CURRENT ON YOUR LIFE CHANGES. I THINK WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT THESE NEW THINGS START TO UNFOLD SLOWLY. GRADUALLY WE REALIZE OUR LIVES HAVE CHANGED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. (KIND OF SCARY MOVING ON TOTHE NEW AND DIFFERENT.)
i ADMIRE YOUR STRENGHT IN THIS AREA. CHARITY WORK IS A HUGE HEALER. BEFORE MY HUSBAND PASSED I HAD A THERAPY DOG KODY) HE WAS A BOXER AND THEY ARE SUCH JOKERS.
WE WOULD GO TO STANFORD HOSPITAL , THE VA HOSPITALS,AND SCHOOLS. (WHENEVER CALLED WE WENT.) KODY AND I HAD BEEN ASKED TO JOIN THE FIRST CANINE UNIT AT ONE OF OUR LARGER HOSPITALS. A MONTH BEFORE WE WERE TO START HE HAD A HEART ATTCK AND PASSED AT THE AGE OF FIVE. M YPOINT BEING THAT NOTHING TAKES YOUR MIND AND SOUL TO A BETTER PLACE THAN HELPING OTHERS. I HAVE A NEW BOXER PUP, RYDER (I CALL HIM MY LITTLE BUDDY)
AND WE ARE WORKING TOWARD THE SAME GOAL. I LOST MYFATHER TO CANCER SO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR ALL OF US. GOD BLESS.
SIOUX
Lisa,
Thank-you for all you are doing to help find a cure for pancreatic cancer. My father died from pancreatic cancer -he lived 19months after he knew. I read and reread both of your books. I’m sad Patrick died and I only knew him as an actor. I think I’ve seen all his movies since reading your books except Jump. Many of them I had not seen. I enjoyed all of them because he was in them! My husband enjoyed watching them with me. Best wishes and keep up with what you’re doing, It is very important!
Mary G.
Dear Lisa….we are so over losing our precious people here in Australia to this disease and can’t influence your politicians physically…however…my prayers and positive thoughts are with you all 100% in this fight. The ramifications, for the rest of the world of this research, cannot be quantified..they are so far reaching. Go Get’em for all of us. Very best wishes Cm.
The good thing is that whatever we are able to do here will help people all across the world! Let’s hope that day comes soon!
Asi sea, Lisa.
PATRICK WOULD BE SO PROUD OF YOU HIS PURPLE WARRIOR.
YOU ARE IN THOUHTS AND PRAYERS AND I WILL CONTACT MY
SENATOR ASAP. HAVE A GREAT DAY. AND GOD BLESS!!
Hi Lisa you go for it girl, your support reachs many people and you really do push hard for the cause, many people could not be prouder of you as it’s you showing your heart when you march for the purple people you keep everyone fighting you really are a warrior and we all love you.
I love reading your blogs and other peoples comments you really make a difference to all our lives and even though I have moved on in my life I read many of your replies and others comments and they remind me of my steps forward to now and it’s so lovely to read and share all these feelings it’s as though we are a family all helping and sharing our fears and dreams it’s a life line which helps many so you keep it up you are giving so many people love and support through all you do. God bless you love julie xxxox
Hi Lisa,
I see your fight go ahead ,now in the senate for pancreatic cancer. This fight will be hopefully good when politicians help for to search a cure for this terrible disease. As always, i’m with you in it and with all people that suffered for this disease and their families. You’re a brave woman and fighter to the end. We’re proud of you and your encouragement helps, at least for a purple smile.
Happy thanksgiving day for you too and for the other people in this celebration!!. Enjoy it Lisa!!.
Love and all the best for you.
Maite Sánchez
Haha I like ‘my mugger from another mother’
Again, I have to say that I admire you for everything you do for Pancan!
I wish I could help but I am not a U.S. resident 🙁
Please tell me if there is anything I can do.
I would love to hear you speak at an event! I once visited the website of an event you were going to speak ( can’t remember which one though) just out of curiosity and I read you could register there as a social worker…. I am studying Social Work (Cultural and Social Development to be exact) and I was wondering what social workers could learn there and what they can do for organizations such as Pancan and patients fighting pancreatic cancer? The Social Work field is different here in the Netherlands and I haven’t seen events like that here where you can go to as a social worker.
I would love to know that because it might change my future perspective as a social worker 🙂
Thank you again!
Love,
Ineke
P.S. You look great in that picture 😀
Haha! My vote goes for “My Mugger From Another Mother”
Keep up the fight Lisa, I sound like a broken record but you truly are an inspiration:)
xxoo
Lisa.
What an inspiring lady you are! You have fought hard and raised so much awareness, your a little warrior lisa, beautifull inside and out! X
HELLO LISA,
I AM JUST IN FROM CLEANING HORSES WHERE I GET MY BEST THOUGHTS IT SEEMS. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE THIS WITH YOU. WE JUST CELEBRATED MY HUSBAND’S BIRTHDAY. I HAD A FEW OF OUR CLOSET FRIENDS( I CALL THEM FAMILY) HERE FOR DINNER. WE HAD CHUCK’S FAVORITE MEAL FOLLOWED BY HIS FAVORITE CAKE. I PUT 6 CANDLES (ONE FOR EACH OF US) ON THE CAKE. AT THE SAME TIME WE ALL MADE A WISH AND BLEW OUT THE CANDLES. AFTERWARDS WE ALL SHARED SOMETHING ABOUT MY HUSBAND THAT WAS SPECIAL TO US. I KNOW HE WAS WITH US AGREEING WITH HOW WONDERFUL WE ALL THOUGHT HE WAS.LOL.
HERE’S AN IDEA JUST IN CASE.
HOPE THE HOLIDAYS ARE GOOD FOR YOU AND ALL THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH DIFFICULTIES.
SIOUX IN SANTA CRUZ
Lisa, Thanks so much for visiting with us at the Philly PurpleStride. In the forty years of my life the cure rate of PancreaticCancer has not changed. This is ridiculous,just like my outfit. I walked with Team Peggy Sent Me in memory of a great lady with a heart as big as her head in her chest – Peggy Tilson. We raised some money, raised some awareness, and with the help of the U.S. Senate we hope to raise the cure rates for folks battling Pancreatic Cancer too. Sending good vibes. PanCanMan.
Whoa! PanCanMa! Thanks for writing, and thanks for standing up! XL
How Much do I love that you put our beloved, yes, beloved, PanCAN Man on your blog. I’ve been a little lax in reading lately, so was catching up. PanCAN man and I follow each other on FB and he has a magically way of cheering me up even though I have never met him personally.
PanCAN Man – you the bomb baby! Next time you pass through Cleveland and are in the Independence area – we really need to meet & I can shake your hand in person.
As Always, Lisa, Thank You for your continued support of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and your passion as one of our honored leaders.
MK
PanCan Man rules!
Hi Lisa, I will gladly sign and add my plea.
And, even when an infinite budget is provided for traditional research , we will only be focusing on a small piece of the puzzle for the cure.
May I add this excerpt from a story written by a man with cancer, who speaks of his journey and the success he is having;
“…We are creating a cure by uniting the contributions of surgeons, homeopaths, oncologists, Chinese doctors, nutritionists and spiritual healers. The active participation of everyone involved — both experts and ex-patients — is naturally filtering out any damaging suggestion which might be proposed.”
The article is far reaching and will broaden the horizons and bring HOPE for anyone (all of us) on the path to the cure for cancer.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/25/opinion/iaconesi-cure-open-source/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
My personal belief is…….Big picture = success.
With great appreciation to you Lisa, for all you do.