Survivor Stories

556 articles

Survivor Stories
September 26, 2024 • 2 Min

I Feel Very Lucky!

Because of her early career experience as an oncology nurse, Ann Jaffe wanted to participate in a clinical trial.

Survivor Stories
April 17, 2025 • 4 Min

My Totally Uninteresting Story

Because Andi Benjamin was participating in a study of new technologies, her PNET was picked up at stage I.

Survivor Stories
September 13, 2023 • 6 Min

A Cancer-Free Life 25 Years in the Making

Andy Lyons lost many family members to pancreatic cancer. With such a family history he knew to be proactive and get screened regularly.

Survivor Stories
March 31, 2016 • 4 Min

Clinical Trials Offer Hope to Patients and Clinicians Seeking a Cure

Philip Zeblisky describes his treatment for stage IV pancreatic cancer. He looked for clinical trials to find the best treatment.

Survivor Stories
July 5, 2016 • 3 Min

Pancreatic Cancer Can Mimic Other Health Problems

Cindy Lopez thought she had back problems, but she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation shrunk the tumor for surgery.

Survivor Stories
August 26, 2016 • 3 Min

Making a Risky Choice

Judith Zitiello’s pancreatic cancer was wrapped around the hepatic artery, but she chose the laparoscopic Whipple procedure instead of chemotherapy alone.

Survivor Stories
November 3, 2016 • 2 Min

A Clinical Trial Gives Me a Comfortable Life

Irwin Hausman lives a relatively comfortable life with pancreatic cancer, thanks to a clinical trial using low-dose chemotherapy and high-dose vitamin C.

Survivor Stories
April 10, 2017 • 5 Min

A New Clinical Trial Leads to No Evidence of Disease

After pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Shannon Magee became patient 1 in a new clinical trial that combined chemotherapy and a Whipple procedure.

Survivor Stories
April 26, 2018 • 3 Min

Solving My Problem Saved My Life

Bruce Seibert knew something wasn’t right when he felt nauseous, but was surprised when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which was followed by a Whipple procedure.

Survivor Stories
October 23, 2018 • 3 Min

Molecular Sequencing Leads to Customized Treatment

When Florida resident Doron Broman was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, his decision to get treated in Boston gave him access a PARP inhibitor for maintenance.

Survivor Stories
October 30, 2017 • 3 Min

Take the Time to Consider Your Options

Rachel Santmyer-Flores decided to look at her options before choosing a clinical trial of PEGPH20 for her pancreatic cancer treatment.

Survivor Stories
February 10, 2020 • 5 Min

My Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Journey

After starting pancreatic cancer treatment, Davi D’Agostino discovered she has the BRCA2 mutation, which made her eligible for a clinical trial.

Survivor Stories
September 14, 2020 • 4 Min

Choosing Chemo Because I Want to Live

After doing poorly on her first chemotherapy treatments, Catalina Lulley switched doctors because she is determined to survive pancreatic cancer.

Survivor Stories
October 21, 2020 • 2 Min

A Heart Scan Finds Pancreatic Cancer

Barbara Washburn went for a heart scan because of a family history of heart disease. She never expected the scan to find neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer!

Survivor Stories
May 28, 2021 • 3 Min

BRCA Mutation Determines My Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Chris Treubert started with one type of chemotherapy but when the results of genetic testing showed a BRCA mutation he changed treatment.