Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with the highest mortality rate. But as we've learned again and again and again, there is hope. Our VB Gives Back partner, Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer, is making a difference—and, with your donations, you are too.
That's why, this Giving Tuesday, we're doubling our online donations again. It's also why we're sharing these stories of resilience and recovery from the nonprofit. Because even when you're fighting the toughest of battles, there is a path forward. These long-term survivors show us how.
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Debbie Ryan
Former Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Virginia
When you're involved in athletics, you learn very quickly that staying in the moment is the single most important thing that you can do. There isn't any fear in the moment—it's usually in the future or in the past—so that's what really helped me. The advice I would give to someone who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer... I'd probably take a quote from [University of Tennessee basketball coach] Pat Summitt: "Toughen up, buttercup, because you've got a ways to go." But, at the same time, I would say, "You can do this. It's one foot in front of the other. Don't try to run, don't try to skip. Stay balanced. You're going to be able to handle this." -
G. Paris Johnson
PanCAN Survivor Council Member
Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is not a death sentence, and I am proof positive of that. My scar is somebody else’s healing. I need to be out there, I need to let people know: I’m here! I survived! When I realized I could help other people, I said, “Okay, there’s no stopping me now.”
I have a brother who is a preacher. He gave a sermon one day and it is in relation to a poem that’s called “The Dash.” You go to the gravesite and somebody has passed away. You see their date of birth, you see their date of death, and you see that dash in the middle. The dash represents your life, everything you did from the day you’re born to the day you die. You have to make whatever time you have valuable.
What are you going to do with your dash? -
Laurie MacCaskill
Cancer Coach & Motivational Speaker
You can live with cancer. It doesn't have to be a death sentence. Remember that this is a chapter in your life, not the whole story. Life is all about falling down, but living is getting back up—and that's what you can do with cancer.
I believe that how we think can change how we feel, so I knew I had to accept treatment for as long as it takes and try to live life as normally as possible in an effort to survive. My oncologist aligned with my philosophy of not giving up, living an active life and reaching outside the box. When you are fighting this disease, you can’t be passive because you don’t have the luxury of time. My mantra is: postpone nothing—appreciate everything!
From now to the end of December, we will donate a portion of proceeds from every single veronicabeard.com order to Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer, a pancreatic cancer community changing the way patients and caregivers navigate this disease. Learn more here.