"I'm one of the 7%:" Survivor of pancreatic cancer says the disease doesn't have to be a death sentence
MILWAUKEE -- The statistics are staggering, and there's no cure. But there ARE survivors of pancreatic cancer. One of them is determined to spend every waking moment trying to help save others battling the disease.
Ray Shupe
"It really started in 1998 when I had my gallbladder out. I had some pain the next year. I was diagnosed with pancreatitis and monitored it on a twice-a-year basis," Ray Shupe said.
Shupe was feeling fine -- but in February of 2013, he became jaundiced. A benign tumor had changed -- and Shupe was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
"In March of 2013, I had a total pancreatectomy, which means the pancreas, the spleen, 27 lymph nodes, some plumbing came out, and they re-plumbed me and here I am today," Shupe said.
The 61-year-old Shupe is one of the fortunate few.
"I'm one of the 7% who survived pancreatic cancer. 93% of people are normally dead by the end of the fifth year. I'm at the two-and-a-half year mark, and my doctor says my percentage of survivability goes up rather dramatically. To quote my doctor, he says I'm on my way to a cure," Shupe said.
Steve Lipshetz
Five years ago, Steve Lipshetz lost his mother-in-law and sister-in-law to pancreatic cancer.
Today, he volunteers as the media chair for the Milwaukee affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Events like the Purple Stride Run & Walk at Miller Park, and lighting up the Mitchell Park Domes raises dollars desperately needed for research.
"People don't realize that we're the fourth leading cause of cancer death -- and by 2020, it's expected that pancreatic cancer will become the second leading cause of cancer death -- only second to lung cancer. We should actually pass breast cancer in 2016," Lipshetz said.
Shupe was recently at the Ozaukee Ice Rink in Mequon as the guest of honor at a benefit youth hockey game.
Ray Shupe event at Ozaukee Ice Rink
"We probably touched 250-300 people over the course of the game. There were a lot of people who came up to us who were not aware of how devastating this disease can be. They're somewhat aware of the disease because they've been touched by it, but this was an opportunity to heighten that awareness for them and also to expose other people to it in the first place," Shupe said.
Shupe's mission to pay it forward was sparked by an event he attended sponsored by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Pancreatic cancer
"It was a very somber event. There were a lot of names read of folks who had passed, and every few that were read that were survivors, mine being one of them. My family, we decided that we needed to be more active. We're not exactly sure why I was spared, but maybe this is the reason to do it," Shupe said.
Pancreatic cancer is a disease that doesn't discriminate by age or gender -- but early detection and regular checkups can make a difference. It doesn't have to be a death sentence. Ray Shupe is living proof.
"As a survivor of cancer, I would like to hopefully give other patients hope that it's survivable. They can beat it. I've done it, and other people can too. I'm wearing my beard for 'Movember,' and we'll go from there,"
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.