Join fight against pancreatic cancer

I am taking time to reflect on the year gone by and what has affected my life greatly — pancreatic cancer. My father had complaints for quite some time that were being dismissed. He was diagnosed on May 4, 2009 and passed away May 12, 2009.

Sadly, many families will spend this holiday season remembering a loved one lost to pancreatic cancer. But, my hope is in the years to come more loved ones will be around to share memories during the holiday season and throughout the year.

We must work together to make this a reality and ensure that real progress is made against this devastating disease. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and the only one of the top ten cancer killers with a five-year survival rate still in the single digits — and the survival rate hasn't significantly changed in nearly 40 years.

I will continue the fight against pancreatic cancer in 2011 and until there is significant progress toward an increased survival rate. I invite you to join me in the fight. Go to knowitfightitendit.org to learn how you can be a hero in the fight against this devastating disease.

Mathew Tarailo

Addison