Lisa Manheim is a force! And when her equally tenacious mom, Agi Hirshberg, recruited her to help find a cure for pancreatic cancer after losing her husband to the disease at just 54-years-old, Lisa said “yes”. She left her prestigious retail career and began what is now a 25-year purpose-filled mission as Executive Director of the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
In this first episode, Lisa shares the love story of Agi and Ron Hirshberg, and how his diagnosis and passing left his devastated family determined to help other patients and families affected by this disease.
Lisa's most important advice to those fighting pancreatic cancer? There ARE long-term survivors! Don't get sucked into the "statistics" and "facts", which can admittedly feel daunting. Why can't YOU be one of the survivors?! Try to remain hopeful throughout your treatment. Keep a positive mindset and focus on those survivor stories. Please reach out to the Hirshberg Foundation if you need support, connection and community.
Coming up in Part 2 of my interview with Lisa, you’ll learn about two of MY favorite Hirshberg events: The Tour de Pier (coming up Sunday, May 19) and the LA Cancer Challenge 5K walk/run (Sunday, October 27).
To learn more about Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, or to donate, please visit:
Website: www.pancreatic.org
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HirshbergFoundation
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hirshbergfoundation/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HirshbergFoundation
Twitter/X: www.twitter.com/hirshbergfound
Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases at UCLA is a new, innovative, state-of-the-art facility that allows patients the ability to see their entire team in one place. (Dedicated in April 2024) - https://pancreatic.org/new-agi-hirshberg-center-for-pancreatic-diseases-unveiled/
The Hirshberg Foundation’s annual Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer is held at UCLA every spring. This event provides a chance for patients and families to sit side-by-side with doctors, caregivers and survivors to share information, ask questions and feel the support of this community. https://pancreatic.org/eighteenth-annual-symposium-on-pancreatic-cancer/
The Purple People Party is held every year during the LA Marathon (in March). It’s a fun, uplifting, community-building event at which purple-clad friends and fans of the Hirshberg Training Team cheer and support participants in the LA Marathon. (www.HirshbergTrainingTeam.com )
Upcoming Events:
Tour de Pier – May 19, 2024 - https://pancreatic.org/event/tour-de-pier/
LA Cancer Challenge – October 27, 2024 https://pancreatic.org/event/la-cancer-c
Learn more about Deb Carson at www.DebCarson.com .
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