National Pancreas Foundation

Kelly’s Story of Courage

NPF101 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:46:48 +0000

I had my first acute attack when I was only 15, it was minor in comparison to what my future held. Only a weeks stay in the hospital and a few life style changes and I was “as good as new.” Five years later I was finally going to college at the school of my dreams in Denver, Co, and when I came home for the summer I was in for a surprise. August, 2007 I was hospitalized with numbers over 9,000. I ended up with a feeding tube for four months and a hospital stay of almost 2. Over the past four years I have averaged about 4 attacks a year if not more. I am now diabetic, I have endometriosis, reactive arthritis, my pancreas is beginning to calcify, and I have chronic pain and nausea. I have under gone countless procedures and treatments only for the doctors to come up empty handed. 650 words isn’t even close to tell my whole story, but I’m still trying to go to school, I still try to go to work, and i always go through out my day with a smile and a positive outlook.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pancreatic Disease Videos

NPF101 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:17:24 +0000

We are excited to share two videos from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Both videos focus on pancreatic disease specifically on treatment. We hope you find these helpful.

1. Click here to watch UPMC gastroenterologist, Dr. David Whitcomb, discuss the management and treatment of pancreatitis, and complete a post-video CME evaluation.For more information about the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at UPMC, please visit UPMCPhysicianResources.com/GI.

2. At UPMC, physician researchers have learned that the most effective treatment for pancreatic disease is a personalized approach for each patient. Click here to watch Dr. David Whitcomb and Dr. Adam Slivka explain how tools such as genetics, molecular analysis and others help identify the cause of pancreatitis, ensuring patients receive the right treatment as quickly as possible. For more information about the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at UPMC, please visit UPMCPhysicianResources.com/GI.

Read our Annual Report

NPF101 — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:39:02 +0000

“Everyday courage has few witnesses. But yours is no less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name.” – Robert Louis Stevenson.

During this past year we launched our “30 Days of Courage” Project, in which we asked our community to help us build a mosaic of photos and stories of courage of those living with pancreatic disease. We were overwhelmed and moved by the stories and photos shared with us, and we were honored to feature this campaign throughout the year on our website.

It is this “everyday courage” that motivates us to continue working to fulfill our mission – to support the research of diseases of the pancreas and to provide information and humanitarian services to those people who are suffering from such illnesses. The current economic times provide even greater challenges for the families we serve and we know they need our help more than ever.

We have responded by growing our organization and adding programs and services but we know we must do more. We must continue to grow. We must expand our services to reach more patients and families. We must increase the number of young physicians and researchers we mentor and we must continue to enhance our support of research.

We need your help to face these challenges. We hope this Annual Report will inspire you to join our efforts and help us improve the lives of the men, women and children who battle pancreatic disease.

2010 -2011 Annual Report

To donate to the National Pancreas Foundation click here.