Need awareness of pancreatic cancer
I would like to share a letter from my sister, Beverly J. Walker, with the Yuma Sun community.
She wrote it for her local paper in Michigan recently, but she spent two months receiving her chemotherapy here in Yuma last year. She was cared for by Dr. Myers and the staff at Sonoran Desert Oncology and Rochelle Mohammad, NP.C. I am so very grateful for the kindness and care she received there as well as the support and prayers she received from my friends and co-workers at The Excel Group.
She is now recovering and working in Michigan. She would like the world to know how important it is for everyone to be aware of pancreatic cancer and the need for research. I hope this letter will increase your awareness of this very devastating disease.
Please wear purple and get the word out. Pancreatic cancer needs more research and support!
Here is my sister's letter:
"On Nov. 10, 2008 my spleen and half of my pancreas was removed. I had a cancerous tumor confined to the mid-section of my pancreas. I am one of the 'lucky' ones and I am excited to be here to share my story with anyone who will listen.
"Did you know November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month? Most people haven't a clue. I would love to see all the pink of October replaced with purple for our month. It took a long time for the pink warriors to gain the ground that they have against that nightmare.
"Pancreatic cancer research and awareness at its current stage is where breast cancer was in the 1930's. Those of us in the 'Purple Gang' (so to speak) do not have the luxury of time. The following statistics show just how precious our time is.
"• Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers.
"• 95 percent of its victims will die within 5 years of diagnosis.
"• 76 percent of pancreatic cancer victims will die within the first year of diagnosis.
"• There are no early detection methods currently available to screen for this disease.
"• Early symptoms are vague.
"• The National Cancer Institute annual funding for pancreatic cancer is the lowest of the top five – under $100 million. Breast cancer is the highest at near $600 million.
"I realize how blessed I am when I see those numbers. I thank God daily as I spend time with my grown daughters or laugh and drink coffee with with my sisters and brother. I feel God's love in the hugs of my precious grandbabies.
"I'm urging those of you who have been touched by this horrible disease to step up. As you can see, the victims of pancreatic cancer need your voice. Speak up for the 42,470 who will be diagnosed and the almost 32,000 whose laughter will be silenced this year.
"We need your voice. The battle cry at www.pancan.org is Know it - Fight it - End it." - Beverly J. Walker
|BARBARA LITTLE, Yuma
