"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.

We learned about clinical trials and their importance with Fatima Zelada-Arenas. Fatima is the Director of Patient Services Research and Education at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). She works directly with pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers providing resources and information. Fatima has a special interest in patient advocacy, research, and mental health.  We talked about clinical trials and their importance.    You can learn more "Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials:  What You Need to Know" https://youtu.be/rf9A1dErCsw

Sisters, Allison and Erica start a non profit organization to honor their mother and continue her legacy.  Miracle for Melanie continues the Legacy that their mother started many years ago and continued during her fight with pancreatic cancer.  For more information please visit the website www.miracle4melanie.org "As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever," is dedicated to Melanie Darvin Stridler and to our Nation's Heroes she dedicated her life to.                 Erica’s way of navigating her own grief by trying to make an impact or a difference in the lives of others.

Jennifer Garrepy, Reiki Master, advanced studies in Healing Touch, and one of fewer than 100 Certified Healing Touch for Animals Practitioners worldwide. We chatted about how and why she was called to the healing arts, what to expect, how to prepare as well as my experience with a Healing Touch session.  After my session I felt more relaxed than I had in a long time, a calmness.   For more information on Reiki/Healing Touch or to schedule an appointment please go to garrepy.com

Let's Win launched in 2016 with a goal of breaking down the barriers between the doctors, the patients and the researchers so that everyone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer has easy access to the latest information about the best treatment options.   Join us as we talk about the growth of Survivor stories, importance of clinical trials and genetic testing.  Let's Win platform educates patients and guides them to get to treatments and to clinical trials and information in lawmans terms.   "As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever," today's episode of Living Hope is dedicated to Anne Glauber

Jenny Isaacson, Vice President of Stewardship & Partnerships at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, is responsible for the overall management and direction of the organization’s stewardship efforts. She also oversees strategic partnerships including the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, that came together in 2013 to discuss working together to raise global pancreatic cancer awareness and work collaboratively to support each other's efforts.  The group consists of more than 90 pancreatic cancer organizations in over 30 countries working to raise awareness and rewrite history for the world’s toughest cancer.  "As long as you speak my name I shall live forever" is dedicated to Sandra Mack, a ten year pc survivor who died in September 2022

Tom, away from home, gets a call on his 65 birthday from his Dr, not wishing him a happy birthday but instead telling him she needed to see you as soon as possible. Tom, very active and an enthusiast bike rider is diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  Tom was not a candidate for surgery but went on a clinical trial.  Treatment went on for 15 months after which Tom received good news - he was "NED" - no evidence of disease.  Tom started an oral chemo and continues to take it today.  We talk about the importance of clinical trials, how he has been able to return to a "normal" way of life, he continues to ride his bike, play golf and enjoy life.  Tom continued to be as active as possible during treatment and found this was a way to help him through his treatment and the anxiety that goes along with treatment.  Tom shares his inspiration journey and how he continues to help others through their treatment and journey by hosting a support group through Zoom, every Friday 9am -10:30am PT - to join this support group or for more information regarding group please email Tom at [email protected] "As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever."  This episode of Living Hope is dedicated to Susan Stueber.  When the pandemic hit Susan wanted to provide a weekly support group to help patients/survivors and caregivers.  She formed a group through Zoom and asked Tom to help her co-host the group which Tom has continued to do since Susan's death on September 29, 2022 her 70th birthday. "As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever," is dedicated to Susan Stueber who in response to the pandemic wanted to offer a safe place for other pancreatic cancer patients/survivors and their Caregivers to turn.  To join the Friday morning support group please reach out to Tom at [email protected]