Lisa Niemi Swayze, the widow of beloved actor Patrick Swayze, has dedicated her life to raising awareness about pancreatic cancer. Since Patrick’s passing in 2009, Lisa has worked tirelessly to educate others about the subtle symptoms of this devastating disease.
Patrick’s journey with pancreatic cancer began in 2007, and Lisa recalls the earliest signs of the illness. “He came to me and said, ‘Do my eyes look yellow?'” she remembered. Despite Patrick’s initial reluctance to visit the doctor, Lisa urged him to seek medical attention. The diagnosis that followed would change their lives forever.
The couple’s experience with pancreatic cancer was nothing short of challenging. With a prognosis that was far from optimistic, they refused to give up. “We fought it for as long as his body could,” Lisa said. “Every moment was precious, and every bit of fight we did was worth it for that extra time.”
Patrick’s brave battle with pancreatic cancer came to an end on September 14, 2009. However, Lisa’s determination to raise awareness about the disease has only grown stronger. She has worked with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and lobbied for increased research funding on Capitol Hill.
Lisa’s efforts are a testament to her love for Patrick and her commitment to helping others. By sharing her story, she hopes to educate people about the importance of recognizing the early signs of pancreatic cancer. As she so eloquently put it, “Just because Patrick passed on… didn’t mean that fight was over, and I was carrying that on for him.”
