From Alex Trebek to Aretha Franklin to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pancreatic cancer has taken the lives of many notable figures. But there are also countless loved ones and family members outside of the spotlight who are battling or have passed away from the disease.
November 19 marks World Pancreatic Cancer Day 2020. It's a day that brings awareness to what's been considered the world's toughest cancer, as it has the lowest survival rate of all major cancers. According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancreatic cancer has a five year survival rate of just 10 percent.
The mission of this day is to make people aware of the need for more funding and research related to the disease.
This World Pancreatic Cancer Day, we invite you to share your pictures of loved ones who have been touched by pancreatic cancer, either someone who's currently fighting or has passed away. You may also share your picture wearing your purple. You can post your photo to our Facebook page here.
- PHOTO GALLERY:World Pancreatic Cancer Day: Honoring our loved ones
Your photos could also be featured on TV.
WXYZ anchor Alicia Smith lost her father and father-in-law to pancreatic cancer. Every year, she works to raise awareness about the disease. She says they both dealt with different symptoms that did not show up until the cancer had spread to other organs.
Alicia Smith and her father Dave Smith before he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016.
Alicia Smith's father-in-law Mark Karell on vacation about a month before being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:
Pancreatic cancer has also touched other employees of WXYZ who have lost loved ones to the disease.
From left to right: Alicia Smith's father Dave Smith; Reporter Simon Shaykhet's mother Zina Shaykhet, Digital Director Lyle Cifuentes' mother Victoria Baker, Reporter Andrea Isom's mother-in-law Jacquelyn Y. Harris; and Digital Producer Scott Anderson's mother Karen Anderson.
For more information about pancreatic cancer, click here.
