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The warmth of summer is in the air, and the Pancreas Cancer Task Force is energized for a season full of purpose. June is National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to honor survivors through storytelling, resource sharing, and meaningful patient support.
To our pancreatic cancer survivors on the PCTF, and to all cancer survivors: you are our hope. We see you. We honor your strength. We stand with you.
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Pancreatic cancer survivors featuring: Julian Beld, Kelly Pankratz, Kathe Blakeslee, Maggie Rathert
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Inspired by your resilience, we're pushing forward with programs and events that bring support and hope to those impacted by pancreatic cancer. Roll & Stroll planning is underway to raise vital funds for research at UWCCC. Our Comfort Tote Program is preparing 50 new totes for patients and families. The Peer Mentor Program is getting a thoughtful reboot, and we're already planning for November's Pancreas Cancer Awareness Night. Here’s to a summer filled with light, love, & hope.
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In Case You Missed It
- Pancreas Cancer Peer Mentor Program Oncology Nutrition Training
- SMPH Dean Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA started tenure
- Dr. Syed Nabeel Zafar honored with the Rising Star Leadership - Physician Excellence Award from UW Health
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Projects in Progress
- Roll & Stroll Sponsorship & Planning
- Peer Mentor Program Reboot
- Comfort Tote Program
- Pancreas Cancer Awareness Night: Save the date | 11/20
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Upcoming Events
- Roll & Stroll Meeting: 6/12 @ 5pm
- Middleton Culver's Roll & Stroll Fundraiser: 6/18
- Middleton Chipotle Roll & Stroll Fundraiser: 7/9
- Roll & Stroll 2025: 8/10
- PCTF Quarterly Meeting: 8/21 @ 5pm
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Pancreas Cancer Peer Mentors Learn Nutrition Tips For Patients
On April 28th, our Pancreas Cancer Peer Mentors got together with the UW Carbone Cancer Center Oncology Nutrition team for a valuable training session!
Big thanks to Registered Dietitians Caitlyn Leiva and Molly Roberge for sharing helpful tips on supporting pancreas cancer patients through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. We’re so grateful for your expertise and for helping our mentors feel even more prepared to stand with patients throughout their journey.
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Meet the PCTF's New Student Outreach Assistant
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Hi everyone! My name is Melody Cui, and I’m an international student from China majoring in Communication Arts at UW–Madison, currently finishing up my senior year. I’m excited to join the PCTF as a Student Outreach Assistant, and I hope I can do my best to support patients and families impacted by pancreatic cancer through difficult times. Fighting against cancer is a marathon; it is a cause close to my heart, and I’m looking forward to helping more people learn, connect, and heal.
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Science Careers in Oncology Research with Excellence (SCORE)
Welcomes 10 New Interns!
We're excited to welcome this year’s talented cohort, including Katherine Pankratz, whose internship, supported by the PCTF, will take place in Dr. Zachary Morris' Lab. Katherine is inspired by her mother, Kelly Pankratz, a pancreas cancer survivor & Task Force member.
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Surviving Pancreatic Cancer Journey
A Story of Hope, Love, and Faith
By Kathe Blakeslee
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My name is Kathe Blakeslee and I have been surviving pancreatic cancer since my diagnosis on May 2, 2022. My greatest joy is being a wife to Mark, mother to my son Matt and his wife Cassandra, my daughter Katie, and Grammy to Naomi and Mackenzie.
I am proud to make a positive difference as a member of the Pancreas Cancer Task Force, being a Pancreas Cancer Peer Mentor, and a volunteer at church. I enjoy traveling the world, outdoor activities, spending time at the family cottage on Mirror Lake, or being on a tropical beach. I strive to be an example of hope, strength, courage, and positivity. I resist being a statistic in my cancer journey. My motto is:
“If you think you CAN, you CAN. If you think you can’t, you can’t.”
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Of course, I can! I prefer the term “surviving” over “survivor” as there is no cure today for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It is a challenging life journey for me along with my loved ones.
Faith, family, and friends have been the priority and focus for my entire life. With a cancer diagnosis these priorities are now more powerful! Living large and traveling the world has been a blessing which allowed me to immerse myself in the cultures of many countries. I have been living my life dreaming of the next destination – which has not changed since my diagnosis.
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My only change now is prioritizing travels to see my kids and grandkids. I love a house full of loved ones. Planning the next family gathering keeps me going, but I also respect that planning the next Christmas is a faraway time when you have stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Things change in the blink of an eye.
Going to our family cottage on Mirror Lake brings me close to nature and is good for the soul. It allows me to relax and briefly clear my mind of everything going on. Beaches and the world come second, but only if it is God’s will. My dream remains alive!
I want to share my journey with others so that they understand the difficult physical and mental journey faced by those fighting cancer. Surviving is also living a life full of gratitude for the many blessings of each new day.
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Kathe & her husband, Mark, in Egypt
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Your Voice. Your Cancer Story
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Storytelling is a way to share your voice, reflect on your journey, be an inspiration, and can be used as a healing power.
Want to share your survivor story?
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
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Pancreas cancer survivor and Task Force member, Charli Fulton
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Syed Nabeel Zafar, MD, MPH
PCTF Letter of Support Aids Pancreatic Cancer Research Program
AI-assisted nurse navigator system to address health disparities and accelerate access to pancreatic cancer care
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“A great thank you to the PCTF and all the members who support this. Last summer, I discussed an idea with members of the Task Force at one of their meetings, and we were able to hash this idea out further which led to the development of a grant proposal to the Department of Defense Congressionally Mandated Research Program. Our proposal was accepted for funding – which is great news and we are hoping to start this project this summer/fall in which the PCTF members are key partners.
The project aims to accelerate the care of patients with pancreas cancer from when they get their first imaging report of a suspicious lesion. We will use novel Artificial Intelligence technology. It is expected that this will mitigate some of the disparities we see in the care of patients with pancreas cancer. I am truly grateful for the support from the PCTF for this project, it would not have happened without such a dedicated group of individuals." -Dr. Zafar
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Also in the Spotlight
Awarded Grant to Explore Social Determinants of Health in GI Cancer Surgery Outcomes
Dr. Nabeel shared, “At the end of this study, we’ll have a better understanding of the specific social factors that impact the health of patients undergoing GI cancer surgery in Wisconsin and how prevalent they are." Read more!
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Highlights
- Raised $15,000 so far for pancreas cancer research! Keep the momentum going!
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Christian Capitini, acting director of UWCCC
- Survivor & Caregiver Story: Ryan & Brooke Dwars
- Live Music: Universal Sound Band
- Early Bird Registration: Register by July 1st!
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UW Health l Carbone Cancer Center
Yoga 4 Cancer l Wednesdays: 6/8, 6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23 l Register
Wisconsin Alumni Association | Protect Federally Funded Research | Learn more
Gilda's Club Madison
Backyard BBQ | Thursday, June 12, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM l Get Tickets
Seena Magowitz Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
Survivors, Patients, and Caregivers | Newly Diagnosed Patients Zoom Meetings | Register
Guiding the Pancreatic Community: PanCAN Patient Services: Free & Virtual Event | Register
Recipes for Pancreatic Cancer Patients l Learn More
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