November 1, 2010

Dear Friend:

On September 14, I wrote to you in honor of my late husband, Patrick Swayze, and to pay tribute to the way he lived his life—as a hero, doing what he loved. Since then, I have been as inspired by your actions as I was by my husband's in his battle against pancreatic cancer. I reached out to you and asked that you share your story about the hero in your life. More than 200 of you sent your personal stories to www.knowitenditfightit.org since we launched the Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer initiative.

Those stories that I've read are a testament to you—you who are survivors, caretakers, family and friends. You, who are the heroes in the fight against pancreatic cancer. To read a sampling of the stories we have received, please click here. We will continue to post more throughout the month.

Lisa Niemi Swayze
Watch my story now.

I read Stephen Thompson's story. I was touched to learn he has been fighting pancreatic cancer since December 2008—just one month before Patrick was diagnosed. He continues to maintain a positive outlook and is doing his part to encourage Congress to allocate more federal research funding for pancreatic cancer. I also read the story of Suzanne Levin, a 42-year-old mother of three who attributes her one-year survival to remaining optimistic, maintaining a sense of humor, and her commitment to beating the disease.

The submissions of Stephen and Suzanne are just two examples of the inspiring hero stories we have received. More than 34,000 of you have visited our Hero website since September 14—that's over 34,000 people committed to knowing, fighting and ending this deadly disease.

Today is November 1, the first day of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Today I write to you with a new request—join us to raise awareness during this important month and ask Congress to make pancreatic cancer research a national priority.

Visit our website today and advocate for the cure in two critical ways. First, ensure that Congress supports our cause. Go to www.knowitenditfightit.org and click on the “Contact your elected officials” button. You will be taken to a page where you can easily select which of your elected officials to contact. Tell them your personal pancreatic cancer hero story and urge them to co-sponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act (S.3320/H.R.745).

This critical bill would compel the National Cancer Institute to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan to fight pancreatic cancer and provide patients with real hope for survival. After almost 40 years with no significant progress, it's time for a dedicated strategy on pancreatic cancer—one that will help us to know it, fight it, and end it.

Second, visit our action calendar at www.knowitfightitendit.com/action and commit to completing one simple action each day this November in honor of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and the thousands of people who must face this deadly disease every year.

Cures don't create themselves. People build the cure together—and we won't quit until there are early screenings, effective treatments and breakthrough medical advancements for pancreatic cancer.

Please join me as I continue to honor my husband's memory. Go to the website, contact your elected officials and take action every day during November. Together we can know it, fight it and end it.

Thank you for sharing your stories and continuing to raise awareness this November.

Lisa Niemi Swayze
Official Spokesperson
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

For information about including the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
in your estate planning, click here.

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