When my family first learned that my husband, Ted, had pancreatic cancer, we had no idea of his journey ahead. We knew the life expectancy was short for this horrible cancer, but we did not know how little progress had been made in the research against this aggressive, deadly and stealthy killer. He battled so valiantly, but the treatments available at the time could not win against it.

Ted was born in Baldwin County and we lived there as a young married couple. He worked for several local newspapers before we moved back to central Alabama and it seemed fitting to bring this information and request to his childhood home and to the newspapers for which he once worked.

Anyone who has experienced this disease knows the statistics are frightening. Too often, patients are diagnosed late and face limited treatment options. We have just marked the first anniversary of my husband’s death. It is bittersweet and yet encouraging to hear about the amazing news from the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference that a new treatment has been identified that doubled survival for some patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

For my family, the news comes too late. But for those facing a diagnosis today, it offers the hope of more birthdays, more holidays, more time with children and grandchildren.

Breakthroughs like this don't happen overnight. They are the result of years of research, clinical trials, scientific investment and the determination and commitment of researchers who refuse to give up.

Policymakers debating changes to our health care system must remember what is at stake. Patients need affordable access to medicines, and they desperately need new treatments that don’t exist yet. I pray the next breakthrough is already being researched in a laboratory somewhere today.

On behalf of my family and many others, I want to voice support for innovation and continued research to offer new hope for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and other deadly diseases. This work is critical for so many facing their unknown path on their life-changing treatment journey.

With sincere thanks,
Barri Pratt
Helena