Supporting Pancreatic Cancer Research

Dr. Whitcomb is the Giant Eagle Foundation Professor of Cancer Genetics and the Director of the Precision Medicine Service at UPMC, and he provides information on pancreatic cancer to patients, physicians, and scientists through Pancreas.org. His research led to the discovery of gene variants causing hereditary pancreatitis, familial pancreatic cancer, and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Dr. Whitcomb is grateful for the longstanding support of the Wayne Fusaro Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, which has raised more than $550,000 to help support his and Professor Randall Brand’s pancreatic cancer research.

Wayne’s doctor thought his gastrointestinal issues could have been caused by his gall bladder, but an ultrasound revealed fluid in his abdomen, which led to more scans and ultimately a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Wayne’s family’s life came to a halt when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Wayne was diagnosed with cancer on a Tuesday, and died 28 days later, leaving behind Jill and their three children.

Continuing the family’s legacy, Jill’s son, Tony, helps with the golf outing, and her daughters, Dana and Gina, help with the Designer Purse Bash. Jill is trying to convince her daughters to try a Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser in the future. Jill recently created two small awards to support medical students and junior researchers in pancreatic cancer research.

She is still passionate about the need for more research into pancreatic cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States.

To view the full article: https://mytomorrows.com/en/blog/a-familys-tragic-loss-becomes-a-legacy-of-pancreatic-cancer-research