Survivor Stories

Read about the treatment experiences of pancreatic cancer survivors, including what worked, the doctors or facilities they worked with, and more.

390 Articles

Left, nurse navigator Patricia Gambino in glasses, pearls, and a navy suit; right, social worker Lauren Shaffer, with blond hair and a white top
Caregivers
April 24, 2026 • 4 Min

How to Communicate with Medical Experts When You’re the Caregiver

Nurse navigator Patricia Gambino and social worker Lauren Shaffer share communication strategies for caregivers working with medical experts.

Long-term survivor Andi Benjamin in an olive green hooded jacket and her husband in an orange zipper vest and a long sleeve shirt, at a concert
Survivor Videos
April 22, 2026 • 1 Min

Choosing My Happiness

Despite having a tiny PNET, long-term survivor Andi Benjamin has not started treatment, because her doctors want to “watch and wait.”

Elizabeth Rountree in a white shirt and her husband, a bald man in a plaid shirt, sitting at a restaurant table with food.
Survivor Stories
April 20, 2026 • 3 Min

From Dismissal to Diagnosis

Elizabeth Rountree’s first doctor dismissed her symptoms of itchiness and abdominal discomfort, but her gastroenterologist listened and ordered important tests.

PNET patient Katie DeCarlo, a woman with short dark hair in a golden shirt with a cat laying on her
Survivor Stories
April 8, 2026 • 9 Min

(Currently) Incurable, (Continuously) Fighting

Katie DeCarlo is continuously fighting her PNET. She is determined to try and will continue to try as many types of treatment as possible

A bald man undergoing cancer treatment being cared for by his wife.
Disease Management
April 1, 2026 • 5 Min

Seven Tips to Navigate the Caregiver Learning Curve

Brooke Dwars learned quickly to manage her husband’s care. Nurse navigator Patricia Gambino and social worker Lauren Shaffer provide other tips for a caregiver.

Wendy Hammers and her husband, a bald man with sunglasses in a dark shirt, and a woman with curly gray hair in a white sleeveless top.
Survivor Videos
March 26, 2026 • 1 Min

Dancing on the Other Side of the Fire

After a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, long-term survivor Wendy Hammers decided her only option was to get better.

a family of four--mother, two young boys, and a father all in ballcaps, at a baseball stadium
Survivor Stories
March 20, 2026 • 4 Min

My Surgery Revealed a Different Cancer Story

Douglas Cordova was originally diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but tests after his Whipple found PNET instead.

An African-American woman in a purple ballcap and purple sweatshirt and jeans, sitting by a fireplace
Survivor Stories
March 10, 2026 • 3 Min

Two Years, Two Diagnoses, Two Chemotherapies, and Two Doctors

Jeanne Jeffries struggled with pain, digestive problems, and itchy skin for two years before getting diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.

Three women, one in a green dress, the center one in a red top, and the right one in an orange and red printed dress.
Chemotherapy and Radiation
February 26, 2026 • 2 Min

An Immunotherapy Oddball

Aurora Salo’s treatment has been full of starts and stops, with exploratory surgery, chemo that stopped working, and immunotherapy.

Long term survivor Susan Ganis, far left, and family. Blond woman in blue shirt and jeans holding a little girl in pink, next to a gray haired bearded man in gray and black, next to a younger blond woman in a white shirt and jeans holding another little girl, and a tall young man in a patterned shirt and jeans, against a bright blue background.
Survivor Stories
February 19, 2026 • 1 Min

The Small Moments Bring Us Joy

Susan Ganis thought she had a gall stone or a kidney stone but there was a tumor on her pancreas.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Guy Van Ort in an orange jacket and turquoise ball cap in front of a windmill
Survivor Stories
February 9, 2026 • 3 Min

Today I Am Cancer-Free

Guy Van Ort was shocked to find out that his hip pain was stage IV pancreatic cancer in his hip, but treatment has made him cancer-free.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Wendy Kistela
Survivor Stories
January 28, 2026 • 3 Min

Catching It Early and Moving Fast

Wendy Kistela moved quickly when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and had a distal pancreatectomy right away.

Ryan and Brooke Dwars
Survivor Videos
January 21, 2026 • 1 Min

The Body and the Brain

When her husband Ryan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at age 36, Brooke Dwars decided it was time to take charge.

pancreatic cancer patient Cherree Weeks
Survivor Stories
January 9, 2026 • 3 Min

Having Faith

Phantom leg pain led to Cherree Weeks’ pancreatic cancer diagnosis. She has faith that chemotherapy has given her a chance.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Yann Bizien
Survivor Stories
December 22, 2025 • 4 Min

Our Destiny Is Not in the Data

With a young family, Yann Bizien was determined to be a survivor of stage IV pancreatic cancer, even after a recurrence.

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