As some of you know, my mother was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in January 2006, aged 55. The diagnosis was especially difficult to handle, as there is no cure and the cancer is generally discovered only in the late stage of the disease.
We searched globally for treatments but sadly none of these have had any success. This left us all with no hope whatsoever. 87% of patients die within one year of diagnosis, a statistic that has remained unchanged in the last 25 years. This is one of the key factors to lack of funding as most patients pass away before any proper medical trial can be completed. Additionally most of the trials conducted have been focused on prolonging life not curing the disease.
My mothers battle lasted 1 year and 7 months, which is better than most but that time was extremely tough and she found it impossible to deal with a diagnosis with no hope for survival and having to leave us all behind.
There have been very few advocates for this disease but last year American professor Randy Pausch gave his famous “last lecture” which became an inspiration to millions of people across the world. You can see it here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo . Sadly he also passed away shortly after having addressed Congress about lack of research and funding for this deadly disease. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1iP7xr6ig-s
After Mum’s diagnosis and in my search for treatment I got to know Dr Anna Masellis, a cancer specialist who herself had been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. She refused to accept her destiny and gathered a team of doctors and researchers in an attempt to prolong her life and ultimately find a cure. Anna was a huge inspiration to me as she had a lot of time to guide me in my own research despite of her own illness and limited life expectancy. Her story can be seen here (film clip - top right as well as text): http://wcco.com/local/pancreatic.cancer.pancreas.2.364855.html
Sadly Anna passed away this christmas after an incredible fight.
On the 26 April 2009 I will be running the London Marathon in the memory of my mother Ingrid Tyroll, for the charity AICR (Association for International Cancer Research). The funds will go directly to a pancreatic cancer project in Germany, which is looking at how the genes and proteins that control pancreatic cells behave. A similar study conducted several years ago relating to Leukaemia eventually led to a new type of treatment which has proven successful.
This is for my mother who we miss every day, and everyone who has been touched by this terrible disease.
Eva
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