This morning I watched the March 13, 2008 video of Dr. Randy Pausch sitting before Congress. You may know him as the professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon. His last lecture video that was made famous by "youtube" has had over 6 million hits since he gave it in September of 2007.
I have been following Dr. Pausch's progress in his inspirational fight against this dreaded disease, pancreatic cancer. This cancer doesn't care that he never smoked, drank or is an avid exerciser. This cancer doesn't care that he is only 47, a brilliant professor and has three young children ages 6, 4, and almost 2 who will be fatherless before the end of this year.
Dr. Pausch spoke before Congress, bravely describing the need for more funding for pancreatic research. I watched as the panel attentively listened to his testimony. I was reminded of the statement, "If the Congressional Panel put down their blackberry's and actually listened, it was a good sign." Was Congress attentive to Dr. Pausch's testimony because of his new found "youtube" celebrity status? We'll never know, but I hope that they continue to give everyone testifying before them, the same proper courtesy.
Pancreatic cancer is the most deadliest form of cancer with the least NCI funding. Less then 1% of the National Cancer Institutes 4.8 billion dollars on cancer research is given to fight this disease. With 75% of pancreatic cancer patients dying from this disease in less then one year, why is it so under funded?
My thoughts on this matter bring me to some humbling opinions. Brilliant researchers are diligently working to find cures. I will use St. Jude's Hospital as an example. The cure rate for the childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia was 4% survival rate in 1962. Today they are looking at an 80% survival rate, on this once "universally fatal" disease. That would never have been possible without those researchers being heavily funded.
When dealing with pancreatic cancer, there is little to no incentives to research this cancer. Junior researchers with their smart, brilliant minds want to make a big difference in this world. Working on projects that are barely funded, just isn't something most researchers want to commit to. Smart researchers want to work on heavily, funded projects. They want to make certain that their in-depth studies will continue.
Another problem is lack of advocates. As Dr. Pausch reminded us, pancreatic cancer patients don't last long. There isn't much time for them to get their own affairs in order, let alone advocate for funds. I'm positive his wife Jai will do all she can to continue his fight for funding, but even then her time will be limited with the demands of raising 3 young children .
Tomorrow, March 22nd will be the anniversary of my own fathers death due to this hideous disease. My time of lamenting hasn't ended. In the four years of my fathers passing "nothing" has changed. After hearing Dr. Pausch's speech before Congress today, I was saddened to learn "nothing" has changed in the past 30 years. Pancreatic cancer is still the least funded and most deadliest form of cancer.
Several questions come to my mind when I think of the lack of funding given to these very neglected patients. Are they medically not profitable enough? When my father was diagnosed, he was told to go home and get his things in order. My parents had discussed the option of chemotherapy with their Doctor and although it might have given him a little more time, he chose not to have this treatment. You can imagine the lack of compassion felt, when he received several phone calls from the oncologist office wanting to set up his chemotherapy sessions. The nurse became absolutely irate when my mother declined to make the appointments. I can't help but wonder if my father had "No" health insurance, if the oncologist would have been so eager for him to be scheduled.
In closing I pray that Congress will not repeat the same injustices that had been placed on those "now deceased patients." No matter what our government might think, nobody is immune from this disease and it could easily happen to them or one of their own. As it stands now it will continue to be a round robin, no win situation. With lack of funding, researchers are just not interested in tackling this mountain and without researchers the next 30 years look just as grim for the pancreatic cancer patient as in the past.
Kimberly enjoys studying numerology, astrology, love compatibility charts and experimenting with herbal remedies. She is an advocate for more funding from the NCI for pancreatic cancer research and she has operated her own canine stylist business for the past 10 years. Her interests also include studying little known "plant foods" that induce natural weight loss and also studying a little known herb that naturally curbs the cravings for alcohol .
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» left by Kimberly(523) Kimberly (167 days 19 hours ago.)
Hi Robert,
Thank you so much for reading my article. I'm sorry your father-in-law had to suffer with this disease. "THANK YOU" for caring. Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by Susan Thom(8,103) Susan Thom (168 days 14 hours ago.)
hi kimberly.
very well written article about a subject i hadn't made it my business to know about. now, i know a lot more, thanks to your article. i am sorry about your father, both my parents have passed, and i know the pain, but i also know they are with me.i think your article should be before the congress. you could write to them?
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Kimberly(523) Kimberly (167 days 19 hours ago.)
Hi Susan,
I'm sorry on the lose of both of your parents. I too, believe that my father is with me everyday. I believe there is reasons for everything, although we might not understand them at the time. I would love to think my article could make a difference in how NCI distributes cancer funds. Thank you Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(5,740) Teresa Ortiz (167 days 19 hours ago.)
Hi Kimberely, thank you for sharing this informative article. I felt your heart went into it as well. I pray with you for change. You said something that stirred my soul just a bit. I have a problem with anyone in the medical profession or otherwise who shows a lack of compassion just because they choose not to have treatment. I fully believe it is an individual decision that is made betweent he patient and his/her God and family. It would be great if over the next 30 years this trend would change as well. May the Lord bring healing to your heart! God Bless you. Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Kimberly(523) Kimberly (167 days 19 hours ago.)
Hi Teresa,
Thank you so much for your kind words. God Bless you and your Ministry! Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by Creative Blogger(5,329) Creative Blogger (167 days 15 hours ago.)
Hi Kimberly
I hear you. So many things in health underfunded and for many reasons. I used to work as Practice Manager for NHS health centres and much of what I had to do revolved around money one way or the other.
Meanwhile, re your fathers appts for chaemo. Dr's and nurses do generally want their patients to have treatment if they believe it to be beneficial. It's a think line though.
» left by Laura Trahan(30,533) Laura Trahan (164 days 16 hours ago.)
Great article! This article is so timely as I have an extended family member just sent home to hospice to live out her last few months because of pancreatic cancer. Thanks for getting the information out on this disease! Respond to this comment
» left by Kimberly(523) Kimberly (164 days 16 hours ago.)
Hi Laura,
My heart goes out to you and your family. Pancreatic cancer has destroyed so many lives, yet not much is being done to stop this disease. Thank you for reading my article. God Bless Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by Stephany Springer(13,766) Stephany Springer (164 days 16 hours ago.)
Kimberly, this was a good article. Although, I must confess that I have never heard of Dr. Pausch. You might consider adding a link to his youtube video.
Nonetheless, I have a friend who was recently sent home with the same diagnosis. She was told the same thing, she can try chemo or just get her affairs in order. I can't imagine what she is going through right now. Respond to this comment
» left by Kimberly(523) Kimberly (164 days 13 hours ago.)
Hi Stephany,
Thank you for reading my article. I can only pray that your friend, surrounded by family and friends is able to come to an understanding of what treatment is right for "Her." I did put 3 of Dr. Paush's videos on my pitiful blogspot. I am trying so hard to become computer literate. God Bless Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by Jim Murdoch(86) Jim Murdoch (163 days ago.)
Hi Kimberly, it is a sad fact that today's medical world is largely driven by money. Even the profits from medicines hinder progress in treating illnesses with alternative means. I am referring to growing interest in alternative healing methods, which are to be taken seriously, yet is an area much opposed by the "official" medical world. Respond to this comment
» left by Kimberly(523) Kimberly (162 days 23 hours ago.)
Hi Jim,
Thank you for reading my article. I am very much interested in alternative medicines and am saddened that the AMA only recognizes radiation and chemo therapies for the treatment of cancer. Taking the simple herb ginger cured my husband of his dependence on Zantac. There is much to be learned. Thanks again. Kimberly Respond to this comment
» left by dt from chance (159 days 2 hours ago.)
This article is a must read for the american Cancer Society!!! Respond to this comment
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