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Pancreatic Cancer Patient Stories

  • Chris Kalargheros

    Chris Kalargheros

    In April 2008, Chris Kalargheros, a Vice President at Merrill Lynch, was at the top of the world after he and his wife, Liz, became the proud new parents of twins – a boy and a girl. Then, he began to experience abdominal pain that landed him in the hospital a few times. An MRI of the abdomen showed lesions on Chris’s liver and a mass on his pancreas. “My whole world came crashing down,” admitted Chris, who was only 33 years old and an active soccer and basketball player. 

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  • Genevieve Sliker

    Genevieve Sliker

    Although Genevieve Sliker tells other cancer patients to be patient, she doesn’t waste time herself. In October 2010, she discovered a lump on her navel and went to the doctor that same day. Within two days, she had an ultrasound, which was inconclusive. A few days later, Genevieve underwent a CAT Scan. By the time she arrived home from the test, her doctor had left a message to come to her office. That is when Genevieve learned she had a cancerous tumor in her pancreas, just two weeks after her husband’s cousin lost his life to this aggressive disease.

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  • Elva Blendt

    Elva Blendt

    Elva Blendt isn't one to run to the doctor. In fact, the plainspoken 78-year-old would be the first to say that she's usually "scared to death of doctors." Which was why, when she started having shortness of breath back in December 2004, it took her granddaughter Nicole's insistence to get her to the emergency room.

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  • Anthony P. Celona

    Anthony P. Celona

    Benign Pancreatic Tumor

    A tragic automobile accident landed Anthony Celona and his family in the hospital. Doctors performed several tests on Anthony to evaluate the extent of his injuries. A chest MRI revealed that in addition to a broken sternum, there was a growth that was dangerously placed between his pancreas and aorta. His doctor's suggestion was to "watch and wait" to see if the tumor progressed. The Celonas were terrified not knowing whether the tumor was cancerous - but well aware of how challenging it would be to remove.

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  • Lou Ciaverelli

    Lou Ciaverelli

    Louis Ciaverelli didn't have time to get sick, much less for cancer. He was operating his own business, Top of the Line Cosmetic and Fragrance Company in New Jersey. Then, in early September of 2000, Lou learned he had pancreatic cancer.

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