The Hirshberg Foundation is happy to welcome a panel of patients and caregivers to share their cancer stories with us at the 17th Annual Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer.
We are honored, each year, to share the stories of pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers. These honest and personal discussions give us all perspective, insight and sensitivity to the journey of both patients and loved ones once someone in the family is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This year we have an amazing line up of two survivors, Jay Sandler and Judith Anne Desjardins, and two caregivers, Shirley Peppers and Leslie Nelson to be moderated by Jenny Tran, PhD.
Dr. Tran works at the Simms/Mann Center, in addition to providing support within the UCLA Alhambra Cancer care clinic, and co-manages the psychosocial care within the UCLA Advanced GI Cancer Program. She provides a monthly online orientation for patients and family members to learn about the supportive care services available to them, including information about the Simms/Mann Center, Palliative Care, and Nutrition Oncology.
Jay Sandler, Survivor, Diagnosed December, 2012
I was born in Boston and came out to California in 1987. I have two Berkeley Grads, a boy and a girl and have 3 grandkids. I am an accountant by training working as a Controller in manufacturing firms and along the way I owned a Dunkin Donut and an Orange Julius. I’m currently working with friends at the Canopy Cancer Collective as we started an online peer-to-peer Pancreatic Cancer Support Group through AnCan that meets on the 4th Thursday each month at 5:00PM (Pacific).
Judith Anne Desjardins, Survivor, Diagnosed October 7, 2020
I have been an Oncology Social Worker (1976-78), the wife of a prostate cancer patient (wrote the book, “Our Journey with Prostate Cancer: Empowering Strategies for Patients and Families” 2014), and produced the video “How To Beat Cancer in A Holistic Way” about my pancreatic cancer journey (2020 – present). I am cancer-free 29 months and have a holistic psychotherapy practice.
Shirley Peppers, Caregiver, wife of Roger Fox, diagnosed May 2018
Roger was diagnosed five years ago and has been cancer free since his Whipple surgery in February 2019. He has continued to work as a money manager, investor and CPA. I retired in 2018 from a fundraising career for Stanford, Harvard and UCLA. I am now an artist.
After Roger’s diagnosis, I was on a panel with other classmates – two doctors and a cancer survivor – for our 50th Reunion. I talked about my role as a caregiver and that the grief and concern we feel for our loved one can’t be avoided. Also, I was introduced to a woman whose husband was also struggling with the after-effects of pancreatic cancer. We had phone conversations every few weeks which was invaluable to both of us to have someone to connect with in a similar situation. During the last few months, I have amped up my exercise routine substantially and it has moderated the anxiety and the circular worrying. Roger continues cancer free and is slowly getting more energy.
Leslie Nelson, Caregiver, daughter of Dr. Norman Carabet, diagnosed January, 2016
Our father Norman was a very healthy and active 82-year-old retired doctor at the time of diagnosis. His father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 94. The fact that our father was a doctor was both a blessing and a curse. It gave him the ability to recognize symptoms early on. Yet it also made it impossible for him to not “manage” some of his healthcare alongside his Oncologist which wasn’t always in his best interest. Post diagnosis our father continued to live his life as fully as possible with a positive attitude. He traveled, enjoyed the company of his family and friends, built models and spent as much time as possible on his boat relaxing in the sun. Nothing made him happier than to share his knowledge with his grandchildren and then watch them as they applied those lessons in their own life. Throughout his journey he continued in his role as our patriarch and our hero.
We look forward to hosting this uplifting and informative Panel Discussion: Perspectives from Survivors and Caregivers.