Breaking up with Pancreatic Cancer: Survivor Stories

While scientists are continuously working to better understand and treat pancreatic cancer, more energy is also going towards integrating a holistic approach that emphasizes active patient engagement with their well-being. Progress in the lab and through clinical trials is being made, but many patients and caregivers are still concerned with the mental attitude needed to tackle a cancer diagnosis.

We know that emotional health impacts over all well-being, so in our latest webinar, we turn to two long-term survivors who will share their tips for a wellness approach to pancreatic cancer. Wendy Hammers and Marisa Harris will explain how they learned to create the healthiest environment for themselves in order to have the best possible outcome pre-, during and post-treatment. They will discuss the importance of setting your own healthy path, tips and tools for moving forward and how taking charge can truly make a difference in the health and well-being of patients as well as their loved ones.

Wendy and Marisa met at a crucial point in Wendy’s pancreatic cancer treatment. Wendy will share how their journeys intersected and the importance of her relationship with “Coach Marisa.” Marisa is a 21-year, stage-4 pancreatic cancer survivor who also faced many choices the moment she was diagnosed. Her remarkable journey is an inspiration to anyone with a life-threatening health diagnosis. Marisa and Wendy will share more than just their stories, they offer the tools & tips they have both honed to lead healthy, happy lives where “cancer” is no longer center stage.


Wendy Hammers is an actress, speaker, dancer, published author, storyteller, producer, stand-up comic, foodie and creative community builder. She is also a 5-year pancreatic cancer survivor who took control early in her cancer journey to seek out healthy ways to live and to shine a positive light on this challenging time in her life. Wendy knew there had to be another component to battling cancer besides eating healthy and exercising.

Marisa Harris, a life coach and long-term cancer survivor who Wendy connected with early in her treatment. In 1998, Marisa was working at a Fortune 500 company when she was diagnosed with stage-4 pancreatic cancer and given 9 months to live. Refusing to accept this death sentence, she developed and implemented an integrative multidisciplinary healing program. She learned that healing takes place on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. To this day, Marisa is healthy and cancer-free. Marisa wholeheartedly believes in the transformational power of Integrative Coaching and now devotes her life to this work. She has coached hundreds of people who are in pain, in transition, or in an emotional malaise to a place of healing, passion, and joy.

Read Wendy’s 10 tenets on Breaking up with Cancer »

Watch Webinar

A very special thanks to our Sponsors & Supporters for helping ensure that these vital patient resources can be offered free-of-charge in place of our Annual Symposium.

California Community Foundation, Caroline Dockrell, Fineberg Foundation, Dr. Robert Richter Foundation Fund, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, Joanne & Ken Weinman in memory of Sylvia R. Weiner