Patient Spotlights

Stories of Hope: Bill Gillmore's Story

In March 2009, Bill was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, which was declared inoperable because it involved the vessels surrounding his pancreas. He underwent nine weeks of chemotherapy, and the pancreas tumor had shrunk to half its original size, but after a brief rest it began growing again. In despair, Bill came to the Pancreas Center after learning its team performs surgery to remove inoperable pancreatic tumors.

Read Bill's story from the perspective of his wife, Janice.

Stories of Hope: Alia's Story

Alia suffered from a a sensitive digestive system that was originally treated as acid reflux. In 2009, as a 19-year-old college freshman, she was diagnosed with a benign tumor in the head of her pancreas. She underwent a Whipple procedure at the Pancreas Center, and part of her pancreas was removed.

From Patient to Activist: Ralph Cheney Spreads His Story of Hope to Others

After Ralph Cheney was treated for gallstones and pancreatitis at his local hospital in Monticello, New York, a CT scan revealed a shadow on his pancreas. His doctor suggested waiting six months and repeating the CT scan after the pancreatitis cleared up. Ralph's wife, Mariann, thought otherwise, and after additional research, the couple came to The Pancreas Center for successful diagnosis and treatment of Ralph's pancreatic cancer. Five years later, Ralph is a survivor who hopes his story serves as inspiration for others battling pancreatic cancer."

UPDATE! Ralph Cheney Receives Pausch Award.

Persistence Pays off for Lucien Zito and His Family

For Lucien Zito, the process of finding appropriate treatment for his pancreatic cancer was a strenuous and protracted ordeal, adding to the stress of the diagnosis. Fortunately for this energetic 65-year-old former real estate developer, he was able to draw upon a loving and supportive family and substantial inner resources for support.

Betsy Hilfiger's Close Call: An Unexpected Pancreatectomy

Betsy Hilfiger, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger's sister, never had reason to believe she was at risk for pancreatic cancer. Trained as a nurse, she was well aware of the illness and its known risk factors--smoking and heredity among others. The Hilfigers had some cancer in their family, but none of the cancer syndromes associated with pancreatic cancer or pancreatic cancer itself. But a routine battery of bloodwork showing abnormalities in her liver enzymes led Betsy to discover she pancreatic mucus cell cysts. While initially benign, if left alone they almost always become malignant.