In July of 1999 my father was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. What little information I could find on the Internet didn’t give me much hope. My dad had been experiencing back and stomach pain for quite a while before his doctor was finally able to diagnose the real problem. Sadly, by then it was too late, and he passed away in October 1999.

To further add to my dismay, my mom’s sister, my aunt, who was like a mother to me, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. She bravely fought it for almost 2 years and then lost her battle as well.

I have been an Advocacy Coordinator with the Orlando, FL affiliate for the past 3 years and will continue to work with Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as long as it takes until we see more progress being made in research, diagnosis and treatment.

This fight is very personal for me.