Survivor Stories

555 articles

Survivor Stories
April 20, 2017 • 5 Min

A New Treatment Leads to a Whipple Procedure

After his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Guy Davidson looked for the most advanced treatment that would allow him to qualify for a Whipple procedure.

Survivor Stories
January 19, 2018 • 3 Min

Don’t Stop Fighting

Leonora Kaufmann relied on her instinct about pancreatic cancer. Diagnosis at stage I has given her a fighting chance of survival.

Survivor Stories
June 12, 2017 • 6 Min

Fighting On To See Her Children Grow Up

Despite aggressive pancreatic cancer, with a BRCA-like genetic mutation, Dr. Jill Pechacek is determined to stay alive to see her children grow up.

Survivor Stories
January 20, 2020 • 3 Min

Surviving Pancreatic Cancer Three Times

Jaundice brought Larry Nicolet to the doctor but took three tries, including a Whipple procedure, for him to be clean of pancreatic cancer.

Survivor Stories
June 3, 2020 • 8 Min

A Second Opinion Changes the Pancreatic Cancer Game Plan

Gregg Wittman’s doctors diagnosed him with stage IV pancreatic cancer, but could never get a good biopsy; a second opinion figured out the reason.

Survivor Stories
October 8, 2020 • 3 Min

Diagnosed Early

Because Anthony Rafaniello had recurring pancreatitis, he paid close attention when he started to feel sick. The result: pancreatic cancer diagnosed early.

Survivor Stories
November 30, 2020 • 4 Min

A Second Opinion Makes the Difference

Irma Infante refused to give up after a stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis. She went for a second opinion and better treatment options.

Survivor Stories
February 1, 2017 • 2 Min

A Pancreatic Vaccine Clinical Trial Worked for Me

Kathleen Dowell was worried that her pancreatic cancer treatment would not work so she enrolled in a pancreatic cancer vaccine trial.

Survivor Stories
July 6, 2017 • 3 Min

Pancreatic Cancer Found By Chance

Barry Reiter’s pancreatic cancer was found during a presurgical MRI for prostate cancer. Now he had a bigger battle on his hands.

Survivor Stories
September 21, 2017 • 3 Min

Always Looking for a Cure

Linda Milazzo had a couple of bouts of pancreatitis before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Read about her treatment path.

Survivor Stories
March 5, 2020 • 2 Min

Facing Life’s Challenges

The first time John Sherry faced pancreatic cancer he had part of his pancreas removed; the second time he had a Whipple procedure.

Survivor Stories
August 5, 2020 • 3 Min

Why ME?

Harry Sparks went for a second opinion after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and was able to have Whipple surgery.

Survivor Stories
December 11, 2020 • 8 Min

Marching On Against Pancreatic Cancer

Chad Handley is facing pancreatic cancer one step at a time–literally. After every chemotherapy he walks to help ease the side effects.

Survivor Stories
April 16, 2019 • 4 Min

Climbing the Pancreatic Cancer Mountain

Kenneth Brown got second and third opinions before he chose a treatment plan that included neoadjuvant chemotherapy and a Whipple procedure.

Survivor Stories
April 16, 2021 • 2 Min

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Caught By Chance

When Jason McMurtrie found out he had a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor he chose laparoscopic surgery; now he’s back traveling with his wife.