Survivor Stories

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

319 Articles

Long-term survivor Helene Avraham-Katz
Survivor Stories
December 15, 2022 • 1 Min

Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Survivors Series—Year Six

Join Let’s Win’s long-term survivors as they share their uplifting stories of treatment, resilience, and life after pancreatic cancer.

Heather Sanderson
Survivor Stories
December 13, 2022 • 3 Min

Forget Stages . . . Set Goals Instead!

After her pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Heather Sanderson set goals: surgery and then getting back to the gym.

Pancreatic cancer patient Rod Devlin at Purple Stride
Survivor Stories
November 30, 2022 • 6 Min

Being Persistent Led to my Cancer Diagnosis

Rod Devlin wasn’t getting an answer to his pain but he was persistent until he finally found a doctor that would give him a scan.

Martin Abrams, in purple with Survivor on his shirt, surrounded by his team at the 2019 Lustgarten Walk
Survivor Stories
November 23, 2022 • 1 Min

Early Detection Saved My Life

Martin Abrams and his daughter Tova have a family history of pancreatic cancer, so a screening program and early detection are paramount.

Hector Mendez and his daughter and son
Survivor Stories
November 15, 2022 • 3 Min

Advocating for My Husband has Made the Difference

Nora Mendez had to learn how to advocate for her husband Hector to get him the best possible treatment for stage IV pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer patient Ellen Robbins and her husband Bob
Survivor Stories
November 2, 2022 • 3 Min

Urinary Tract Scans Lead to My Diagnosis

Ellen Robbins has the BRCA2 mutation, and that allowed her to participate in a clinical trial for her pancreatic cancer.

pancreatic cancer patient Michael Bailey
Survivor Stories
October 20, 2022 • 6 Min

How Could This Happen to Me?

Michael Bailey felt his world turn sideways after a diagnosis of acinar cell pancreatic cancer. He had a pancreatectomy and chemotherapy.

Long-term PNET survivor Tom Dinwiddie
Survivor Stories
October 17, 2022 • 1 Min

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

When long-term survivor Tom Dinwiddie was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer he found doctors willing to treat him.

pancreatic cancer patient Robert Gamble and his wife
Survivor Stories
October 7, 2022 • 3 Min

I Thought it Was a Stomach Bug

Robert Gamble thought he had a stomach bug, but it turned out to be pancreatic cancer. He needed surgery and chemotherapy.

long-term survivor Janet McNabb and her husband Bill
Survivor Stories
September 26, 2022 • 9 Min

A Second Opinion Saved My Life!

With encouragement from her husband, Janet McNabb went for a second opinion after a tumor was found on her pancreas.

pancreatic cancer long-term survivor Roxanne Waling
Survivor Stories
September 22, 2022 • 1 Min

The Optimist

Roxanne Waling is a long-term survivor of pancreatic cancer, and she credits her integrative oncology team for helping her through.

Roberta Luna and family, Laurie MacCaskill, Ed and Kathie Duncan, Steven Merlin, Camille Moses
Survivor Stories
September 13, 2022 • 7 Min

Catching Up With Survivors

How are some of our long-term survivors doing? Roberta Luna, Steven Merlin, Camille Moses, Ed Duncan, and Laurie MacCaskill tell all.

pancreatic cancer patient Martin Abrams
Survivor Stories
August 30, 2022 • 3 Min

Family History Matters

After Martin Abrams lost two siblings to pancreatic cancer, he made sure he was screened regularly because of his family history.

pancreatic cancer long-term survivor Earl Groce, his son and grandson
Survivor Stories
August 18, 2022 • 1 Min

Looking Forward to Tomorrow

Earl Groce is a long-term survivor of stage IV pancreatic cancer. He credits the clinical trial he was on with giving him time.

Pancreatic cancer patient Sharon Rockmaker and her kids
Survivor Stories
August 17, 2022 • 6 Min

Going Outside Standard Protocol Changed Everything

Sharon Rockmaker was determined to have a Whipple procedure despite having stage IV pancreatic cancer, and she finally did.

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