Last week I did something that I've never done before: I walked the halls of Congress, talking to Senators, Representatives, and their staff members from the states of Colorado, Indiana, and the District of Columbia. I've been to Capitol Hill many times over the years. In fact, my office is just a few blocks away. I've even given speeches in the Capitol Rotunda and in many congressional office buildings during hearings and briefings. What made yesterday different is that I went as an advocate for my mother and family -- not in my professional capacity -- to talk about an issue that does not have many voices: pancreatic cancer.
 
Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal cancer and yet it has the lowest amount of funding. 75% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will not live past the first year, and the five-year mortality is less than 5%. Over 500 folks from across the United States came to Washington this week to talk to their congressional members about the disease that has devastated so many lives. From this group, there were only 40 survivors in attendance. Those who are battling this disease don't usually have the strength to come and fight for more funding and awareness. They can't run in 10k races or march down city blocks. They are valiantly fighting to stay alive -- many trying anything that has a sliver of a chance to help them do just that.
 
When my mother was diagnosed in March of 2008 (yes, she is a fighter!), she asked me why it had to be pancreatic cancer and not breast cancer…because for the latter at least she'd have some options for treatment. It broke my heart to know that she was right. Because her mass was initially misdiagnosed, it was too late for surgery and there was very little to offer in regards to chemotherapy. Still, every week -- and now every other week -- she goes to get chemo, which has left her arms bruised from all the infusions. With strength and dignity, she is fighting this disease and refusing to give up…just like so many others who were also represented by their families and friends this week. We were their voices.
 
Although our group of family 'ambassadors' was comprised of complete strangers, we were warmly hugging each other farewell after our second day together. It was as if we had known each other for years, bonded by a common history and shared pain. Amazingly, we spoke as a united team during each meeting even though we didn't practice. Some things in life just work out that way when there is a common purpose. As a result, the message gets amplified.

There needs to be increased support for physician and patient education. Pancreatic cancer is not a 'silent' disease. It is just ignored, since the symptoms are similar to other common ailments. We need more studies to help develop a screening tool -- just like we use for breast and colon cancer -- for more treatment options and perhaps even ways to prevent the disease. My mom's cancer grew out of a benign cyst in her pancreas. It was ignored by her doctor who never told her she had it. We have all heard about Justice Ginsburg's recent diagnosis, which was caught because of strict surveillance for her history of colon cancer. Doesn't everyone deserve that level of care?
 
I am also concerned that the toxins in our environment may be related to this cancer, as well. Oddly, there have been four cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed within a block of my parent's home in Denver over the last two years. For a disease that has an incidence of 38,000 cases per year (and 35,000 deaths), one needs to think about a link.
 
At the end of our meetings yesterday on Capital Hill, we all felt better because we had taken action over a disease that leaves us feeing impotent. It was also a reminder that we have an incredible gift as Americans: the freedom and responsibility to be a part of our government ('of the people, by the people, for the people'). Last week's efforts were for the people who needed our voices the most.