Living Hope

In this episode of Living Hope, we welcome Dr. Lavanya Yohanathan a highly respected Hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon (HPB) who specializes in caring for patients with pancreatic, liver, and biliary cancers. Dr. Yohanathan brings deep expertise in some of the most complex areas of HPB care, including advanced treatment sequencing for challenging cancers, innovative robotic surgical techniques, and emerging approaches such as transplant oncology.

Dr. Yohanathan helps us understand why pancreatic cancer surgery is so complex, how surgeons determine the best treatment path, and what new advances are offering real hope to patients today. We explore the importance of multidisciplinary care, the growing role of robotics, and the thoughtful, compassionate way she guides patients through difficult decisions.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, advocate, or simply someone seeking clarity and hope, this conversation offers invaluable insight into the rapidly evolving world of HPB cancer care.

 

In this episode of Living Hope, we sit down with Dr. Andrew Rakeman, Vice President of Research at the Lustgarten Foundation, who leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance early detection, prevention, and treatment with the goal of making pancreatic cancer a curable disease.

Dr. Rakeman breaks down key developments in the field, including the emerging link between new-onset diabetes and pancreatic cancer, reasons behind long-term recurrence, the status of cancer vaccines, innovations in immunotherapy, strategies to overcome the tumor’s dense barrier, and new progress in KRAS-targeted therapies.

He closes with an inspiring message of hope, highlighting why this is one of the most promising and transformative moments in pancreatic cancer research—and what it means for survivors, patients, families, and the future ahead.

"As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever," is dedicated to Wes Semple

#PancreaticCancerAwareness #LivingHopePodcast #LustgartenFoundation 

We kick off Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month with Nick Pifani — husband, father, marathon runner, and survivor of Stage III inoperable pancreatic cancer. Nick shares how his symptoms led to a shocking diagnosis, his experience with chemo and radiation, and the emotional moment he learned his tumor had become operable.

He reflects on the strength he found through family, faith, and mindset, the life-changing Whipple surgery performed by Dr. Charlie Yeo, and his journey to no evidence of disease. Now an advocate and Survivor Council Co-Chair with PanCAN, Nick offers hope and guidance to anyone facing this diagnosis.

A powerful story of resilience and second chances.

Rob Panacci—pancreatic cancer survivor and advocate, sharing how his journey is evolving into a new chapter: the launch of “the novi foundation for cures,” a foundation and program to expand access, innovation, and collaboration in pancreatic cancer.  

This episode was just the introduction. The full breakdown is coming soon.

 

Kerri Kaplan, President and CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation, the world’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research. Under her leadership, Lustgarten has helped drive major breakthroughs — from the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer to advances in early detection and personalized treatment that offer new hope to patients and families.

Kerri also shares how the Foundation began, the meaning behind its name, and how collaborations like Stand Up To Cancer are accelerating progress in prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

“Cancer ghosting” describes what happens when friends, coworkers, or even family members withdraw after someone’s cancer diagnosis — not always disappearing completely, but creating painful distance when connection is needed most.  Only on OC Talk Radio.

#LivingHopePodcast #PanCAN #CancerGhosting #PancreaticCancer #SupportNotSilence

Shaun Bagai, CEO of RenovoRx, joined us to discuss an innovative approach delivering chemo directly to pancreatic tumors. By targeting the cancer more precisely, this treatment may reduce side effects and improve quality of life. We explored how this approach could transform treatment for those with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, the progress being made in clinical trials, and the hope it brings to patients and families.

#TargetedHope #PancreaticCancerBreakthrough #InnovationInCancerCare #ChemoRedefined #QualityOfLifeMatters #LivingHopePodcast #RenovoRx #PancreaticCancerAwareness #ClinicalTrialsWork #HopeAgainstCancer

In the final episode of our special 3-part Living Hope series with Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we welcome Dr. Sourat Darabi, Director of Precision Oncology at Hoag.

She takes us inside the world of genomics and research, showing how science is uncovering new ways to detect pancreatic cancer earlier and more accurately. From biomarkers and RNA sequencing to advanced technologies that find what current tests may miss, Dr. Darabi shares how discoveries in the lab are turning into real hope for patients and families.

💜 A powerful conclusion to a series that connects genetics, high-risk programs, and research — all working toward a future with earlier detection and better outcomes.

 

On this episode of Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer, we welcome Dr. Michael Demeure, Medical Director of Precision Medicine at Hoag Family Cancer Institute.

Dr. Demeure explains how precision medicine—using DNA sequencing to identify genetic drivers of cancer—can help doctors choose more effective treatments with fewer side effects. He discusses the importance of early detection and Hoag’s High-Risk Pancreatic Cancer Program, which screens patients with inherited mutations or family history using advanced tools like MRI and endoscopic ultrasound.

We explore how genetic testing benefits both patients and their families, the role of tumor boards in guiding treatment decisions, and promising research on AI, vaccines, and engineered immune cells. Dr. Demeure also shares his journey into precision medicine and why he is passionate about advancing pancreatic cancer care.

For information on Proceed Medicine visit www.precedestudy.org 

On this episode of Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer, we welcome Rohail Hameed, Patient Services Manager at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).

Rohail brings over five years of experience supporting patients and caregivers through PanCAN’s helpline and clinical trial finder. In this candid conversation, we explore pancreatitis—what it is, how it’s diagnosed, why it may increase risk for pancreatic cancer, and practical ways to manage symptoms like pain, nausea, and dehydration.

Host Roberta Luna shares her own recent struggles with pancreatitis, making this discussion personal and relatable for anyone facing this condition. Rohel also highlights PanCAN’s vital resources, including its doctor finder, patient services, and the hope that fuels his work every day.

.Living Hope streams live every Thursday at 11 a.m. PT on OC Talk Radio from the UCI Beall Applied Innovation Center.