Clinical Trials

Clinical trials should be every patient's starting point when it comes to pancreatic cancer. These survivors share their clinical trial experiences in hopes that it can benefit others in the future.

34 Articles

pancreatic cancer patient Dan Grunfeld
Survivor Stories
August 30, 2023 • 4 Min

Lots and Lots of Research Leads to a Better Outcome

Dan Grunfeld put his experience as a chemist to good use as he researched pancreatic cancer treatments to find a clinical trial.

Cathleen Janosko
Survivor Stories
July 11, 2023 • 4 Min

Genetic Profiling Leads to a Clinical Trial

With treatment not working and nothing to lose, Cathleen Janosko did her research and got help finding a clinical trial to match her tumor’s mutation.

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 Reesa Levy
Survivor Stories
June 27, 2022 • 4 Min

Taking a Chance on a Clinical Trial

Reesa Levy traveled to find the right pancreatic cancer doctor for her, and then joined a clinical trial for a vaccine.

pancreatic cancer patient Ira Sharp
Survivor Stories
June 1, 2022 • 5 Min

The Benefit of Multiple Clinical Trials

Dr. Ira Sharp knew that his best bet for surviving pancreatic cancer was to look for clinical trials as part of his treatment.

Pancreatic cancer patient Dennis Rues and family
Survivor Stories
February 4, 2022 • 3 Min

A Clinical Trial Gives Me Hope

When Dennis Rues’s pancreatic cancer recurred, his doctors recommended that he join a clinical trial. Now he’s doing well.

Susan Wells and friend
Survivor Stories
January 24, 2022 • 11 Min

Family, Friends, Hope, Strength, and Prayer

Susan Wells had chemotherapy but her treatment took a detour into more chemo and a clinical trial before she had a Whipple procedure.

pancreatic cancer survivor Bob Minetti
Survivor Stories
August 16, 2021 • 2 Min

A Clinical Trial Saved My Life

Bob Minetti and his doctors believe that a clinical trial saved his life after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Catching up with featured patients
Survivor Stories
August 3, 2021 • 5 Min

Catching Up with Featured Patients

Get patient updates on four of our most popular stories: Lynne Holcomb, Earl Groce, Roy Vinke, and Shannon Magee.

pancreatic cancer patient Michael Francis in a field of roses
Survivor Stories
February 17, 2021 • 3 Min

Time and Hope

Rose farmer Michael Francis wanted more time with his family, so he joined a clinical trial to treat his stage III pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer patient Chad Handley, his family and dogs, outdoors with fallend leaves
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.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Gary Carmichael and his wife Floy on their trip to Alaska after
Survivor Stories
June 16, 2020 • 9 Min

Facing My Biggest Danger: Pancreatic Cancer

After Gary Carmichael finally found the source of his digestive troubles, he had a Whipple procedure to remove his pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer patient Robert Weker in Florence, Italy, along the river
Survivor Stories
March 18, 2020 • 9 Min

Picking a Clinical Trial for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

When Robert Weker was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he believed a clinical trial was his best chance of reducing the tumor enough for a Whipple.

Pancreatic cancer patient Davi D'Agostino with student paintings on a river cruise ship
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
August 22, 2019 • 3 Min

I’ll Never Stop Fighting

When Lynne Holcomb was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, she kept fighting through treatment and made it onto a clinical trial.