Pancreatic cancer should get more attention from public

Pancreatic cancer should get more attention from public

EDITOR:

I am writing to let you know that November is Pancreatic Awareness Month. Most people do not know this or that pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in our country. For too long pancreatic cancer has been ignored; it is the most underfunded, under-recognized and least studied among leading cancer killers. It receives less than two percent of federal cancer research funds. Further, pancreatic cancer deaths have increased, even in times when overall cancer death rates declined. Something must change.

I, like most people, did not know any of this until the unthinkable happened. My dad, John C. Richards, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2007. When he was diagnosed I heard that of all the cancers this is not the one you want. But Dad, Mom and the rest of my family had hope and faith that he would be one of the few to beat it. For 10 months he did. My dad died Jan. 17, 2008, of pancreatic cancer after never otherwise being sick in his life.

Since his death I have learned much about the lack of funding, research and awareness of this horrible disease. It is very hard to accept that with all the advancements in cancers today that my dad had to die because nobody has even tried to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is trying to change that. In September, the National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research Act of 2008, H.R. 7045, was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives. This is the first major piece of legislation that could address the astounding mortality rate of the most deadly cancer in the United States today, pancreatic.

One day I hope that November will be recognized as Pancreatic Awareness Month, much in the same way breast cancer is for October. With greater awareness and funding one day we can also say we’re beating pancreatic cancer.

LISA ROHRMAN

Struthers

Justice isn’t being served

EDITOR:

Once again, the murderer gets a slap on the hand and the victim did not stand a chance and is not represented, even after death.

I refer to the many dogs that Steve Croley killed. He was given enough money to love and take care of those innocent animals left in his care. Is this yet another black eye on Youngstown? An injustice was done and then they don’t do the right thing to show people that they even care. Nothing can bring their beloved pets back but they could at least see to it that they will go above and beyond to punish this heinous crime and that this area will not condone such cruelty.

Animal Charity works very hard to protect abused animals and they do not even get the respect and aid from the prosecutor.

Croley took money from people and let their animals starve and die. Now even if he goes to jail, we the people will pay for him to have three meals a day and be cared for and allow him all of his rights. What is wrong with this picture??

CAROL MULICHAK

Boardman