Living Hope

Thom Mrozek's decade-long battle with pancreatic cancer is a testament to resilience and determination in the face of a challenging illness. Such a journey likely involved numerous highs and lows, requiring immense strength and perseverance.

Dr. Lighter Chen's exploration of acupressure and its potential to facilitate the body's natural healing process by balancing energy flow aligns with traditional Chinese medicine principles. Acupressure is believed to stimulate specific points on the body to alleviate pain, enhance relaxation, and promote overall wellness by addressing imbalances in the body's energy pathways.

Thom Mrozek's willingness to share his experience with the Whipple Procedure offers invaluable insight into a significant aspect of pancreatic cancer treatment. The procedure is known for its complexity and challenges, and hearing firsthand from someone who has undergone it can provide a unique perspective. Thom's journey and his insights could help demystify the procedure for others facing similar decisions and offer them a sense of what to expect in terms of recovery and adapting to post-operative life. What specific aspects of his experience did Thom find most challenging, and what advice does he have for individuals preparing for or recovering from the Whipple Procedure?

Diagnosed in June 2021, Mike Kratzer is an incredibly resilient individual. Facing pancreatic cancer with positivity can be a tremendous challenge, but it also speaks volumes about his strength and mindset. Maintaining such a positive attitude during a difficult journey like this can inspire and uplift not only himself but also those around him. How did he find the strength to stay positive, and what advice does he have for others facing similar challenges?

Losing someone can make the holiday season incredibly tough. It's okay to feel sad during these times. Finding ways to honor and keep the memories of our loved ones alive by sharing stories about them can be a beautiful way to keep their spirit alive during the holidays and help us through the grieving process. Guest Stephannie Ruvalcaba Ho shared some ways to remember our loved ones only on OC Talk Radio livestreamed from @UCI Beall Applied Innovation Center.

Not everyone is up to the Holiday cheer, this episode is dedicated to St James in Newport Beach “Annual Blue Christmas” service on Thursday, December 21 at 7pm “to pray, meditate and console your heart.” For information please email info@stjamesnewport.org

Andrea O'Donnell is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and owner of Rising Roots Nutrition. She started her business after years of struggling with her own health issues.  She went to the doctors but felt she was not being heard or supported by doctors. Wanting to bring her daughter into a healthier lifestyle and wanting to help others after her mother's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Andrea started her company.  You can contact Andrea at  andrea@risingrootsnutrition.com

"I was determined not to let cancer control my life.” Laurie MacCaskill a Professional Speaker, Motivator, Patient Advocate, Cancer Life Coach and a 17-year pancreatic cancer survivor shares her journey and some invaluable tools she developed to help in her fight with the world’s toughest cancer.

Why volunteer for a cancer that has such a dismal outcome? Bringing awareness being around people that you share something in common with helped her to heal having a voice helped her to feel empowered. 

Stephannie was the Caregiver for her Grandmother in the non tradional sense.  She would visit her, read to her, dance for her or just hold her hand and talk with her.

Stephannie's favorite event is PurpleStride, this year she had a different role, she was able to speak with people attending and was able to share her story and hear their story.  In talking to people they expressed they felt hope, felt love and gratiful to have so many people there fighting for a cure.

Stephannie feels volunteering with this group is rewarding in itself.  Being a part of something that is giving back to people. The deep friendships you make with the people you volunteer with is rewarding.  

"As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever." Is dedicated to my dad, Bill Whitson "Gramps" who died on June 1, 1998 - 25 years ago.

Amy Reiss, the Patient and Family Support Coordinator from the Hirshberg Foundation previewed their 17th Annual Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer (in collaboration with the UCLA Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases) that was held at UCLA's Luskin Conference Center March 11, 2023.

Watch the 17th Annual Symposium https://youtu.be/OgMZ-TqgrCc

SAVE THE DATE: The 18th Annual Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer is on Saturday, April 13!  Registration opens in January 2024

When a guest is unable to come, as sorry as we are, that gives Paul and I the opportunity to talk and do a little catch up.  We covered a large range of topics like the Hirshberg Symposium, Taking a Leap of Faith, PanCAN's PurpleStride OC, November Awareness, is COVID still affecting the pancreatic cancer community, mask vs no mask.