Living Hope

Burt Rosen shares his journey living with stage IV pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and renal cell carcinoma.

He discusses his treatment experience, the growing role of integrative oncology and evidence-based complementary therapies in supporting quality of life, and how artificial intelligence has helped him better understand his medical records, track symptoms, prepare for appointments, and become a more informed partner in his care.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about living with cancer, embracing adventure, mind-body wellness, patient empowerment, and finding hope through innovation and community.

Dr. Kessler, a member of City of Hope's multidisciplinary pancreatic cancer team, joins us on Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer to discuss innovative approaches to pancreatic cancer treatment, including the RenovoCath. We also explore the importance of collaborative, team-based care and the growing reasons for hope for patients and families facing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, leaving many patients with limited treatment options and difficult decisions to navigate. Yet researchers and physicians continue to advance the field, developing new therapies and technologies designed to improve outcomes, expand treatment possibilities...

Pancreatic cancer survivor Thom Mrozek joins us once again on Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer for an honest and heartfelt conversation about the realities of long-term survivorship.

Together with host Roberta Luna, Thom shares personal experiences, insights, and lessons learned while navigating life beyond diagnosis and treatment. From the physical and emotional challenges of survivorship to resilience, hope, and quality of life, this conversation explores topics that are often not discussed enough.

Surviving pancreatic cancer is something to celebrate — but survivorship also comes with ongoing challenges that deserve understanding, support, and continued advocacy.

In this episode of Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer, we continue the conversation with Megan Liles from March 5 with a thoughtful and reassuring look at what patients can expect when considering a clinical trial. From understanding the informed consent process to navigating enrollment timing and trial duration, this discussion emphasizes the importance of taking your time, asking questions, and feeling confident in your decisions.

We explore the strong safety measures and oversight systems in place to protect participants, as well as key patient rights—including the ability to withdraw at any time and the importance of...

In this episode of Living Hope, we are joined by Ana Karen Gonzalez from PanCAN Patient Services to discuss the emotional impact of pancreatic cancer on patients, survivors, and caregivers. Together we explore challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and scanxiety, while highlighting the importance of support, connection, and open conversations. This episode offers understanding, reassurance, and hope for those navigating the journey.

Megan Liles, a clinical research professional with over 28 years of experience, joins Living Hope to discuss how clinical trials work and why they are essential to advancing cancer treatments. She shares insights on improving access to research and helping patients and physicians better understand clinical trials as a care option.

This is just the beginning of an important conversation—join us for Part 2: Clinical Trials Explained: Patient Rights, Protections, and What to Expect, where we’ll take a deeper look at the patient experience and what you need to know before considering participation in a clinical trial.

In this episode of Living Hope, we welcome Dr. Lavanya Yohanathan a highly respected Hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon (HPB) who specializes in caring for patients with pancreatic, liver, and biliary cancers. Dr. Yohanathan brings deep expertise in some of the most complex areas of HPB care, including advanced treatment sequencing for challenging cancers, innovative robotic surgical techniques, and emerging approaches such as transplant oncology.

Dr. Yohanathan helps us understand why pancreatic cancer surgery is so complex, how surgeons determine the best treatment path, and what new advances are offering real hope to patients today. We explore the importance of...

In this episode of Living Hope, we sit down with Dr. Andrew Rakeman, Vice President of Research at the Lustgarten Foundation, who leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance early detection, prevention, and treatment with the goal of making pancreatic cancer a curable disease.

Dr. Rakeman breaks down key developments in the field, including the emerging link between new-onset diabetes and pancreatic cancer, reasons behind long-term recurrence, the status of cancer vaccines, innovations in immunotherapy, strategies to overcome the tumor’s dense barrier, and new progress in KRAS-targeted therapies.

He closes with an inspiring message of h...

We kick off Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month with Nick Pifani — husband, father, marathon runner, and survivor of Stage III inoperable pancreatic cancer. Nick shares how his symptoms led to a shocking diagnosis, his experience with chemo and radiation, and the emotional moment he learned his tumor had become operable.

He reflects on the strength he found through family, faith, and mindset, the life-changing Whipple surgery performed by Dr. Charlie Yeo, and his journey to no evidence of disease. Now an advocate and Survivor Council Co-Chair with PanCAN, Nick offers hope and guidance to anyone facing this diagnosis.

Rob Panacci—pancreatic cancer survivor and advocate, sharing how his journey is evolving into a new chapter: the launch of “the novi foundation for cures,” a foundation and program to expand access, innovation, and collaboration in pancreatic cancer.  

This episode was just the introduction. The full breakdown is coming soon.

Kerri Kaplan, President and CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation, the world’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research. Under her leadership, Lustgarten has helped drive major breakthroughs — from the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer to advances in early detection and personalized treatment that offer new hope to patients and families.

Kerri also shares how the Foundation began, the meaning behind its name, and how collaborations like Stand Up To Cancer are accelerating progress in prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

“Cancer ghosting” describes what happens when friends, coworkers, or even family members withdraw after someone’s cancer diagnosis — not always disappearing completely, but creating painful distance when connection is needed most.  Only on OC Talk Radio.

#LivingHopePodcast #PanCAN #CancerGhosting #PancreaticCancer #SupportNotSilence

Shaun Bagai, CEO of RenovoRx, joined us to discuss an innovative approach delivering chemo directly to pancreatic tumors. By targeting the cancer more precisely, this treatment may reduce side effects and improve quality of life. We explored how this approach could transform treatment for those with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, the progress being made in clinical trials, and the hope it brings to patients and families.

#TargetedHope #PancreaticCancerBreakthrough #InnovationInCancerCare #ChemoRedefined #QualityOfLifeMatters #LivingHopePodcast #RenovoRx #PancreaticCancerAwareness #ClinicalTrialsWork #HopeAgainstCancer

In the final episode of our special 3-part Living Hope series with Hoag Family Cancer Institute, we welcome Dr. Sourat Darabi, Director of Precision Oncology at Hoag.

She takes us inside the world of genomics and research, showing how science is uncovering new ways to detect pancreatic cancer earlier and more accurately. From biomarkers and RNA sequencing to advanced technologies that find what current tests may miss, Dr. Darabi shares how discoveries in the lab are turning into real hope for patients and families.

💜 A powerful conclusion to a series that connects genetics, high-risk programs, and...

On this episode of Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer, we welcome Dr. Michael Demeure, Medical Director of Precision Medicine at Hoag Family Cancer Institute.

Dr. Demeure explains how precision medicine—using DNA sequencing to identify genetic drivers of cancer—can help doctors choose more effective treatments with fewer side effects. He discusses the importance of early detection and Hoag’s High-Risk Pancreatic Cancer Program, which screens patients with inherited mutations or family history using advanced tools like MRI and endoscopic ultrasound.

We explore how genetic testing benefits both patients and their families, the role o...

On this episode of Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer, we welcome Rohail Hameed, Patient Services Manager at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).

Rohail brings over five years of experience supporting patients and caregivers through PanCAN’s helpline and clinical trial finder. In this candid conversation, we explore pancreatitis—what it is, how it’s diagnosed, why it may increase risk for pancreatic cancer, and practical ways to manage symptoms like pain, nausea, and dehydration.

Host Roberta Luna shares her own recent struggles with pancreatitis, making this discussion personal and relatable for anyone facing...

On this episode of Living Hope, we explore the Genetics of Pancreatic Cancer with genetic counselor Chelsey Torres. We discuss the main types of pancreatic cancer, the difference between hereditary, familial, and sporadic cases, and why genetic testing is so important for those with a strong family history. Chelsey also highlights the role of early detection programs, the realities of inconclusive results, and how lifestyle choices can impact risk—while reminding us that awareness and proactive screening remain key.

Absolutely—and Wendy Hammers is living proof. In this uplifting episode, comedian and 10-year pancreatic cancer survivor Wendy Hammers shares how humor, early diagnosis, and a blend of Western and Eastern healing helped her face cancer with courage and joy. She reflects on her mindset shift, the evolution of her one-woman show Ripe, and why she refuses to let cancer define her. Wendy’s journey is a reminder that healing isn’t just about medicine—it’s also about laughter, love, and living with intention, sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine!

Debbie Soldano a seasoned nurse practitioner with over 25 years of oncology experience, shares pancreatic cancer prevention, patient care, and summer wellness tips. Debbie shares her personal connection to the disease through the loss of her sister, giving heartfelt insight into the emotional impact of a diagnosis and how it shapes her compassionate approach to patient care.

Debbie also offers valuable health guidance for patients navigating chemo or radiation during hot summer months, including hydration strategies, sun protection, and practical nutrition tips.

Tune in for a thoughtful, hopeful conversation aimed at helping patients, families, and caregivers...

We’re honored to share the story of Gerri Weiner, a three-year pancreatic cancer thriver. Diagnosed unexpectedly after a routine CT scan revealed a shadow on her pancreas, Gerri’s journey reminds us of the power of early detection.

Eight years before her diagnosis, Gerri’s father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, making her own diagnosis all the more surreal. Now, she uses her voice to bring awareness, hope, and encouragement to others. In this heartfelt conversation, Gerri opens up about survivor’s guilt, protecting her children’s future, and finding purpose through advocacy.

From “shadow on th...

In this episode, we welcome Ken Miller, a stage 1 pancreatic cancer survivor diagnosed less than a year ago—one of the earliest diagnoses we've featured. Ken shares how subtle signs like rising blood sugar and digestive issues led to a critical second opinion that changed everything.

He opens up about the physical and emotional challenges of treatment and recovery, including fatigue, neuropathy, and finding his "new normal." Ken also reflects on the vital role his wife and children played throughout his journey and offers powerful advice for others: trust your instincts, speak up, and never ignore changes in...

In honor of National Cancer Survivor Month, Living Hope kicks off June with pancreatic cancer survivor and former educator Wes Semple. After a shocking diagnosis in 2005, Wes underwent emergency surgery and grueling treatment—but survival was only the beginning.

In this episode, Wes shares how he transformed his experience into purpose, becoming a passionate advocate, mentor, and voice of hope for others facing this disease. From returning to the classroom to lobbying in Washington, Wes reminds us that survivorship can spark lifelong impact.

#LivingHopePodcast #PancreaticCancerSurvivor #CancerSurvivorMonth #WesSemple #PanCAN #HopeInAction #SurvivorStory #CancerAdvocacy #CancerSupport #PurpleStride

We continue the conversation on the link between pancreatic cancer and diabetes with Dr. Afreen Shariff, who explains the vital role hormone specialists play in symptom management and care coordination.

Dr Shariff also introduces Citrus Oncology, her virtual platform offering endocrine support nationwide.

Cindy Gavin of Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer shares tools like their Clinical Trial Finder and Doctor Finder, along with the value of their fully bilingual website.

The Symposium empowers Patients and Caregivers by offering cutting-edge insights on surgical advancements, practical guidance on nutrition and mindfulness, and real-life perspectives from survivors and caregivers.  The 19th Annual Hirshberg Symposium empowers patients and caregivers with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to navigate the pancreatic cancer journey with confidence and hope.

📅 Event Details: April 5th at UCLA’s Luskin Conference Center. Free to attend with a healthy lunch included.
🌐 Register online at: pancreatic.org

Clinical trials aren’t a last resort—they’re a pathway to better treatments and new hope. In this episode of Living Hope, guest Robert Panacci joins us to dispel common myths about clinical trials.

We also explore how venture capital funding is driving innovation and accelerating breakthroughs in cancer research.

On this episode of Living Hope, we explore the powerful connection between diabetes and pancreatic cancer with Dr. Afreen Shariff (Citrus Oncology, Duke University)
and Cindy Gavin (Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer)

Topics include:
🔹 Diabetes as a warning sign
🔹 Overlapping symptoms & delayed diagnosis
🔹 Blood sugar management in cancer care
🔹 Patient advocacy & awareness
🔹 Let’s Win’s NEW trial & doctor finders

This episode is a powerful reminder that awareness, self-advocacy, and early intervention can make a difference. With organizations like Let’s Win and innovations like Citrus Oncology, patients now have more resources and...

Gary Fong, a retired automotive executive, passionate and dedicated advocate who has been living with pancreatic cancer for over eight years. Diagnosed in 2016, Gary shares his journey through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, as well as the critical role of community support in helping him stay positive and motivated.

Through resilience, advocacy, and the support of loved ones, Gary continues to live an active life while championing hope, awareness, and research. His story is a powerful reminder that no one fights alone.

In this episode of Living Hope, we explore the critical topic of emergency preparedness for pancreatic cancer patients, with a special focus on natural disasters like wildfires. Guest, Alejandra Alvarez, Associate Director, Patient Services, Research and Education with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, shares practical tips on creating a grab-and-go kit, including essentials like medications, important documents, and personal items. We also delve into the emotional challenges patients and caregivers face during emergencies, emphasizing the need for mental health support.

Tune in for a conversation filled with practical insights, hope, and inspiration.

"As long as...

Wildfires in LA County are taking a heavy toll, with historic blazes impacting areas like Pacific Palisades and Eaton. Emergency preparedness is critical—especially for cancer patients who need grab-and-go kits (meds, records, contacts) and N95 masks to combat poor air quality.

Meanwhile, promising pancreatic cancer research is creating hope for early detection and improved treatments, even as funding and end-of-life discussions remain key issues.

Thoughts and prayers to all affected.

#Wildfires #EmergencyPrep #CancerResearch #PancreaticCancer

January is Clinical Awareness Month on Living Hope, survivor *Robert Panacci joined us to discuss clinical trials, cancer research funding, and the power of advocacy. Together, we tackled misconceptions, government accountability, and the urgent need for early detection in pancreatic cancer.

"As long as you speak my name I shall live forever," is dedicated to Jack Santeramo

*Rob is a recurring guest. Catch up on his inspiring journey in previous episodes, where he shares his story of resilience and hope. Watch on OC Talk Radio’s YouTube or listen on most podcast platforms.

Teona Ducre is a pancreatic cancer survivor who uses her personal journey to raise awareness about the disease, particularly within the Black community. Diagnosed in 2016, she empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and emphasizes the importance of early detection. As a member of PanCAN’s Survivor Council Alumni, she promotes genetic and biomarker testing to improve treatment outcomes and assess familial risk, appearing in public service campaigns to amplify her mission.

In celebration of National Survivor Month this episode is dedicated to Survivor Kay Kays who was diagnosed in 1994

Nourishing Wellness: Eating Healthy on the Cancer Journey with Nutritional Therapy and Breathwork Facilitator Andrea O'Donnell

Dr. Diane Simeone, a leader in the field of pancreatic cancer research currently serves as the Director of the Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. Dr. Simeone founded (PRECEDE) the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Consortium. Dr Simeone shares her insights into the challenges and advancements in combating one of the toughest forms of cancer. 

#PRECEDEConsortium #CancerBreakthroughs #DrDianeSimeone

#PancreaticCancer #CancerResearch #EarlyDetection #MooresCancerCenter

During the month of June, OC Talk Radio's program "Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer" acknowledges the hardships that survivors endure and celebrates their strength and resilience. Meet our featured survivor Charles Czajkowski, a remarkable six-year pancreatic cancer survivor who lost his mother to the same disease 25 years ago. Diagnosed early, Charles underwent a robotic Whipple surgery and extensive chemotherapy. Charles lives by the mantra "Carpe Diem." Join us to hear his inspiring story of resilience, advocacy, and a zest for life.

June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time dedicated to honoring cancer survivors, offering hope to those newly diagnosed, supporting their families, and engaging the community. During the month of June, OC Talk Radio's program "Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer" acknowledges the hardships that survivors endure and celebrates their strength and resilience. Meet our featured survivor Camille Moses a dedicated patient advocate in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Camille tirelessly raises awareness and provides support for those battling this disease. Her commitment and contributions are invaluable in the battle against cancer. Join us to hear Camille's inspiring...

June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time dedicated to honoring cancer survivors, offering hope to those newly diagnosed, supporting their families, and engaging the community. During the month of June, OC Talk Radio's program "Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer" acknowledges the hardships that survivors endure and celebrates their strength and resilience. Our first featured survivor is Robert Panacci.

"From the very beginning of this unwanted journey, I have believed that not only could I survive this, but that I had to because I wasn’t ready to accept any other alternative.” Robert Panacci

Join us as we talk with Ariya Selvakumar and Haley Kamola, Co-Directors of the Kesem Chapter at Chapman University. Kesem is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting children through and beyond a parent’s cancer diagnosis. With over 120 college chapters nationwide, Kesem provides free, year-long services to affected families. Discover how Kesem at Chapman University offers a unique and empathetic community in Orange County, highlighted by their annual Camp Kesem summer camp, which connects kids with similar experiences at no cost to their families.

#Kesem #CampKesem #ChapmanUniversity #OCTalkRadio #UCICove

#ChildhoodCancerSupport #CancerAwareness #CancerCommunity

#SupportForKids #Or...

Mary Mickelson is a Case Manager I at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). Mary is passionate about ensuring that patients and caregivers receive all the information they need to be empowered and make informed decisions. On Living Hope, we discuss helping to get patients on the right track, clinical trials, the right team, learn what the Navigation Team is and what they do, clinical trial myths, and more.

"As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever" is dedicated to Mike Krazter.  

For more information please contact Patient Services at 877 2 pancan or 877-2...

Dr. Raymond Wadlow is the Director of the High Risk Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, which focuses on early detection and prevention for individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This clinic is part of the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium, an international effort to improve the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients.

Dr. Wadlow is a highly regarded oncologist at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, specializing in gastrointestinal oncology. His commitment to cancer research and treatment is driven by the personal loss of his mother, former Virginia State Senator Emily Couric, to pancreatic cancer. In...

Living Hope: Your Journey with Pancreatic Cancer host Roberta Luna and her husband Vic, recap the recent PurpleStride event at the Honda Center. This was the 16th such event in Orange County and is known as "the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer." Anaheim Ducks Goalie Coach Sudarshan “Sudsie” Maharaj was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2023, was the guest speaker.