What I'm Doing to Make a Difference

The National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry (NFPTR) was established at The Johns Hopkins Hospital on January 1, 1994. It is a research study aimed at identifying the causes of pancreatic cancer. This organization is something my dad and I looked into after my mom passed. So what can I do? Well, because both my mother and my great-grandmother had the disease, that leaves a family line of the disease. This is the main purpose of the NFPTR; to use family medical history in order to attempt to find the gene that is linked with familial pancreatic cancer.

So here I sit, with a large packet of papers that are asking me every question possible about my mom's side of the family. It's a long list, but I am more than willing to fill it out. The problem is, my mom's mom, who I call Nana, is 92. Her mind is great, but trying to have her recall how her siblings died and when and what age they were, is a lot on her. So I will be turning to my uncle to help me answer the rest of the questions that I cannot find the answers to.

I encourage you, if you have multiple family members who have the disease or have passed away from the disease, or even if you just want to learn more, to check out the NFPTR website. It has so much information on it. If you have family members who have or have passed away from the disease, write to the NFPTR. I encourage you to join. Take some time out of your busy schedule. I know everyone has a million things to do, but this is important. You can learn a lot about your family you may not know, and you may even help add that last piece it takes to find that gene and find a cure.

I'm taking the time to try and make a difference. How about you?

Stand Up to Cancer

I think it's time for a positive, happy blog.  This subject can be a sad one to talk about, so how about some ways that we can make a difference.

Stand Up to Cancer launched in 2008.  The organization funded their second commercial-free telecast on September 10, 2010 and received over $80 million in pledges from people around the world to accelerate ground-breaking research and bring new treatments to patients.   The SU2C broadcast was dedicated to the over 12 million U.S. cancer survivors illustrating how groundbreaking research can change the tide in the fight against the disease.  Celebrities and stars of every kind appeared during the show, encouraging people to donate to this organization and to stand up to cancer.
I haven't been on the website in a little while, but when I got on recently, I found a new section I didn't notice before.  It's called Launch a Star.  The Constellation is a tribute space to honor anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis.  For as little as a $1 donation, you can launch or add to a star in the name of someone you love who received a cancer diagnosis.  I think this is a really interesting way to honor those who have fought or are fighting this disease.
The website is really great and you should take the time to look around it if you have a chance.  You can shop SU2C gear, read feature stories about what new research is being done, news headlines about new discoveries and many other things.  Look around, donate, take a stand.





Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, passed away on July 25, 2008. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September of 2006. He survived almost 2 years after his diagnosis. Although this may not be the happy survival story you were expecting, the way that Randy Pausch handled his disease is an uplifting, wonderful story. You can watch his Last Lecture on youtube. It's a wonderful lecture.