Living Hope

Ron and Agi made a promise together to find a cure, Agi still continues the fight 25 years after Ron’s death.

Reflecting back over 25 years with Hirshberg Founder Agi Hirshberg and her daughter Lisa Manheim, Executive Director.  Hirshberg Foundation got its start more than 25 years ago when Ron Hirshberg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Ron and Agi decided they were going to beat this disease together and live a long life, sadly six months later Ron died.  They had made a promise together to find a cure, it was only natural that Agi would continue after Ron's death.  We chat about how Hirshberg started with only two doctors, the importance of the "Five Pillars," the labs Hirshberg has funded, how five universities in the UC system collaborate together.

"As long as you speak my name I shall live forever" is dedicated to Ron Hirshbert

 

 

What is the LA Cancer Challenge?

Sarah Banks is the Development Manager for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.  The 25th annual LA CANCER CHALLENGE was a walk/run benefitting the Hirschberg Foundation and their ongoing work battling Pancreatic Cancer.  LACC was held on Sunday, October 23rd, on the beautiful campus of UCLA, where much of the foundation’s research is conducted.  LACC is an annual Halloween-themed event benefiting pancreatic cancer research and includes a Fit Family Expo, activity tents, Candyland Kids Zone, Kids costume contest and so more!

#LACC #UCLA #pancreaticcancerawareness

 

Trust and Estate Planning attorney profession hits home with her mothers diagnosis

Ben Franklin has been quoted as saying “In this world nothing can be said to be certain except Death and taxes” Death is a harsh reality that none of us wants to think about or deal with regardless of our health. Death is part of life and planning your estate can give you peace of mind that your wishes will be met, and your loved ones are taken care of.  

Allison Lee is a Trust and Estate Planning Attorney and the Associate General Counsel for Free Will.  Allison, whose career was helping others plan their estate now suddenly found it deeply personal.  She was shocked to learn that her otherwise healthy mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Allison shares her journey and the importance of estate planning.

Taking care of your Estate Planning will make things go smoothly.  Not having a plan in place your Estate could end up in Court and state law is going to govern where your assets go.  As hard as this can be the best thing we can do for our loved ones and ourselves is to have our arrangements in place.  This episode is not meant to take away hope but more to offer resources.  If you'd like more information, please contact Free Will at F-R-E-E-W-I-L-L-D-O-T-C-O-M

 

"As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever" -

today's episode is dedicated to Melanie Darvin Stratler.

How Can Awareness and Advances in Treatment Improve Pancreatic Cancer Outcomes?

This episode features Dr. Allison Ocean discussing the critical aspects of pancreatic cancer, emphasizing the importance of awareness, early detection, and advancements in treatment. It covers the pancreas's function, challenges in diagnosing pancreatic cancer early, and key symptoms like back pain and jaundice. Dr. Ocean explains the two main types of pancreatic cancer—adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors—and their impact on treatment. The episode explores current treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, while highlighting the role of precision medicine. Risk factors such as family history, diabetes, smoking, and genetic mutations are discussed, along with the growing research and advocacy efforts aimed at improving patient outcomes and support through organizations like Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer.

 

What is the ViewRay MRIdian and how is it used for pancreatic cancer patients?

Dr Kim joined us to talk about the use of the ViewRay MRIdian for treatment of pancreatic cancer at Hoag Hospital.  Dr Kim explains that the tumor needs to be hit with high energy x-ray beams.  To be able to hit the tumor you need to be able to see the tumor.  It's that simple. 

This is the only machine that uses MRI imaging to visualize the tumor. Tumors move with each breath and this machine allows the tracking of the tumor in real time allowing them to be precise in delivering treatment.

This episode of Living Hope is dedicated to the donors of the View Ray MRIdian Dean and Gerda Koontz

#DeanandGerdaKoontz #PancreaticCancer #Hoag Health

See the ViewRay MRIdian https://youtu.be/RRx8kd0vaXw

 

 

A woman goes from Caregiver to Patient after losing her husband to pancreatic cancer

Susie Lemieux was the Caregiver for her husband, Peter.  Peter survived 11 months before his death.  Six months after losing her husband, Susie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. People came to her and asked how did she get it, was it contagoius? Susie had nothing to compare it with and assumed in a year she would also be dead.  

Susie moved back to California with her daughter, Natascha.  Natascha became her Caregiver and was very supportive and involved in her healing journey.  Susie decided to take a little different route for her healing.  Susie shares her unique journey from Caregiver to Patient/Survivor and Natascha shares her journey as Caregiver for her mom.  Hear their inspirational journey.

"As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever." This episode is dedicated to Susie's husband, Peter Lemieux.

Christina Parrish diagnosed with pancreatic cancer starts a non profit foundation to help others with cancer

Christina Parrish, is a 14 year "Sur-Thriver" of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer.  Christina describes herself as sur-thriver because she strives to thrive everyday.  "It's important to realize that you are surviving everyday no matter the struggles."  Christina is the Founder of The Purple Iris Foundation.  Their mission is to raise awareness, provide support, and give hope to indivduals and families affected by cancer, in Maine.  Christina was in great shape and exercised regularly. She will share her journey with us and how her workout on a Pilates ball sent her to the doctor.

If you or anyone you know is in Maine you can contact The Purple Iris Foundation 

• https://www.purpleirisfoundation.com/
• purpleirisfoundation@gmail.com
• PHONE: 207-579-1969

"As long as you say my name, I shall live forever." This episode of Living Hope is dedicated to Peggy Kessler.  Peggy was diagnosed in 2001 and died in 2018.  Chris and I had the honor of meeting Peggy.  Peggy was a great inspiration not only to us but those she came in contact with.

 

”They come not in single spies but they come in battalions.”

A quote from Hamlet is how Kitty felt when getting her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  Kitty was going through a difficult time dealing with her father's illness, a friend in the hospital, so much going on at one time.  It felt like the whole army was marching down on her.  How does someone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer feel like they are the luckist person in the world?  Kitty is very open in sharing her journey with us.  Kitty shares advice given to her husband from her Dr "Your wife is not a statistic, she is a person."  As well as her own advice, "Dont' lose hope, don't lose hope, be here while you're here."

"As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever." This episode is dedicated to Charlotte Rae, a great inspiration and the woman who introduced us.  We love you Charlotte!

Kitty Swink is an actress, activist, artistic director and a two time cancer survivor. She thought when at 39 she survived Breast Cancer she was done. Not so fast. 12 1/2 years ago at 49, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer, had a Whipple Procedure, chemo, radiation and more chemo and now at 62 she still shows no signs of disease. Grateful to be healthy and working at her craft she devotes a lot of time to helping others diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer move forward with their lives. It has blessed her with many great friends, not the least of which is her adopted mom, Charlotte Rae.

Her career began in commercials, regional theatre and off Broadway. She moved to California with husband of the year, every year, actor Armin Shimerman. She has appeared on dozens of television shows starting from It's Garry Shandling's Show and Designing Women, through Star Trek DS9 and Law and Order, on through The Fosters. She currently has two films on the Festival circuit, Penumbra and Diani and Devine Meet the Apocalypse. She is Associate Artistic Director of the award winning Antaeus Theatre Company. She has been nominated for Ovation, LA Drama Critic and Broadway World Awards and she has received an Independent Series Award, multiple Scenie Awards and an LA Drama Critics Award.  She is a former National VP of Screen Actors Guild.

Why has Pancreatic cancer gone from a single digit number to 11% survivor rate?

Eleven people out of one hundred will be alive five years after their pancreatic cancer diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients has increased recently from a single digit number to 11%. Tori Larrick, Patient Services Manager ll with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network recently shared with us why early detection and better treatment options are some of the reasons why we are seeing this increase.

This episode of Living Hope is dedicated to PanCAN's Survivor Council and Survivor Council Alumni. The Survivor Council was formed to represent the voice of survivors and they are committed to ensuring that the survivor perspective is integrated into all that PanCAN does.

 

How a man goes from being healthy, to a diabetic with an inoperable pancreatic cancer tumor to being stable.

Ken Parme, a husband, father, grandfather a man with many talents when asked how he wants to be remembered he replied very simply "as a kind man." Ken is a very kind, friendly, talented man who I've had the pleasure of knowing for a number of years.  It wasn't until he shared his journey with us that I realized how much we had in common in regards to our diagnosis.  In December 2012 Ken was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor.  The tumor was wrapped around his veins, and lying against his aorta.

Ken took good care of himself, ate right and was active. He was a power walker and one day on a walk with his wife Rebecca, he couldn’t keep up with her. Rebecca insisted he go see his doctor. Tests were done and Ken was told he was a diabetic and started on insulin immediately. After starting insulin, Ken still felt lousy, so his wife made an appointment with an endocrinologist. Ken, shares his journey starting with his diagnosis of an inoperable pancreatic cancer tumor, his treatment with chemotherapy, the use of the new Cyber-Knife, his eight years "stable status" and a book he and his wife wrote together. Ken and Rebecca Parme wrote a book “In The Gaze of The Divine, Life with Pancreatic Cancer.” from the patient/survivor and caregiver point of view. Available on Amazon.  Ken has also written a children's book available on Amazon “The Adventures of Madde Mckinsey

This episode of Living Hope is dedicated to Ken's wonderful, wife and Caregiver, Rebecca. We want to leave you with a quote from their book, “May we all get to the place where we can accept -let go- and focus on the blessing of the day.”