It started with “Hi Friends…”
I got a note last week that I just have to take the time to expose to the air… from my friend Gillian. Her words struck so personally I feel moved to blog them:
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I hope you don’t mind me reaching out to each of you on a rather personal note…As most of you know, I lost my father to pancreatic cancer 9 months ago today. Although pancreatic cancer is one of the major cancer killers, it still receives little to no government funding or support.
Some of you may have heard of Dr. Randy Pausch, a 47 year old Carnegie Mellon professor who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, whom through his “last lecture” has gotten lots of media attention (Prime Time, Good Morning America, and yes, even Oprah). Well, here is his recent powerful appeal to Congress - it would mean a lot to me if you would take a moment to listen to it.
If you are so moved, here are a few additional ways to help:
- Write your local legislator
- Donate to the cause (be sure to earmark your contribution for RESEARCH) - through my mother’s efforts to raise awareness we have raised almost 30K in research funds in my father’s name, James J. Kennedy
- Continue to stay educated through http://www.pancan.org/ and http://www.lustgarten.org/
I appreciate your time with this and I can only hope that what we do today will make a difference.
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Apparently Gillian received a huge response to her note, and there were some further follow-on clarifications:
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I know there were some questions about donating to PanCan - it sounds like the only way to earmark the donation for research and/or make the donation in my father’s name (James J. Kennedy) is to either:
- call PanCan at 1-877-272-6226 and make the donation over the phone or
- mail in a check that has the information in the memo. The form for this and info about how to do it is here.
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Gillian and her mom are just trying to raise awareness. Apparently her mom is quite an expert on pancreatic cancer now. If anyone has questions, I’m happy to connect you with them.
Dear Janet, Thank you very much for including Gilian’s email on your blog. It is very important to our family to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. In this past year, not only have we lost our husband/father, we have also lost an acquaintance, a friend, and a cousin–all very, very good men. All were in their 60’s, finding time to “give back” to society, and all made this world a better place. It is a great loss, and unfortunately these losses will continue without increased awareness. Randy Pausch is using his celebrity to increase awareness (and his new book is excellent!). Patrick Swayze is using his celebrity to help raise awareness also, but unfortunately, it is not enough. There needs to be a ground swell of awareness to create the interest in funding and research that needs to take place. I pray that your readers will listen to Randy Pausch’s testimony to Congress–it says it ALL! and then will send the info on to their address book–and on and on. I hope that it spreads like wildfire. Your interest and support is greatly appreciated–and I know it will make a difference. Thank you so very much. Suzanne Kennedy (Gillian’s mom)
Suzanne, thank you for raising our awareness at a time we can hope to make a real difference.
(And thank you for raising a fine daughter - Gillian’s dad and you should be very proud.)