November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Think Purple!

This is "Arizona Cindy"
She represents our fundraising efforts to help raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Over the last two years, Arizona Cinderella has raised over $3,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Research

KNOW IT.  FIGHT IT.  END IT.
Here are the facts:
* This year 42,470 Americans will be diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and 35,240 will die from the disease.
* Pancreatic Cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States
and has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers.
* No early detection of screening exam is currently available for Pancreatic Cancer.
* An estimated 75% of patients will die within one year of diagnosis
* 52% of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease that has already spread to other organs.
* Only 2% of the National Cancer Institute's budget is allocated to this leading killer.
* Less than 5% of people diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer will survive beyond 5 years.
Denise Swartzman, Arizona State Director,
 is a 8 year Survivor of this horrible cancer and is a living miracle!

"Seven years ago when I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, I put myself in God's hands and in the hands of the wonderful doctors at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.  Thousand of prayers went out to people all over the world through the Cinderella Scholarship Program.   After a year long battle with chemotherapy and two surgeries, God blessed me with a complete cure.  I feel that God gave me more time on His earth to continue my work with children through the Cinderella Program, Boys & Girls Clubs, and my love of teaching dance."   . . .    Denise Swartzman
UPDATE - APRIL 2010
Unfortunately, my pancreatic cancer came back in November 2009.  Already tumor markers are "less than half" from when I started treatment.  My oncologist at UCLA says "it's not life threatening" and if I respond to the chemo as good as before, I should see my grandkids grow into adults.  So much research needs to be done to help detect and prevent this horrible cancer.  Please help us raise awareness and a cure!! .... Denise Swartzman    4-15-2010

For the last two years, the Arizona Royalty has devoted their year to helping bring awarness about Pancreatic Cancer. 
Their "annual gift" to the State Directors is raising much needed funding for research.

This year the 2009-2010 Arizona Royalty are selling Purple Hair Flowers and
hosting 50/50 Raffles at all our Preliminary Pageants.
Please help bring awareness and "Think Purple"

Pancreatic cancer has claimed the lives of several famous people.

*Patrick Swayze, actor, dancer

• Don Hewitt, "60 Minutes" creator 

• Count Basie, composer

• Ty Cobb, baseball Hall of Famer

• Joan Crawford, Academy Award winning actress

• Michael Crichton, author

• Dizzy Gillespie, musician and bandleader

• Fred Gwynne, actor-known for his role as Herman Munster

• Michael Landon, actor, director - known best for "Pa" on Little House on the Prarie

• Henry Mancini, famous composer

• Randy Pausch, college professor (delivered his now-famous last lecture in 2007 at Carnegie Mellon University)

• Luciano Pavarotti, opera singer

• Sidney Pollack, actor and director

• Donna Reed, actress "The Donna Reed Show" & "Dallas"

• Gene Upshaw, football Hall of Famer

• Dennis Weaver, actor "McCloud" last seen in "Wildfire" (co star was Nicole Tubiola, 1992 Az Cinderella Miss)

* Jack Benny, comedian, vaudville and television star

* Fernando Lamas, actor (his Grand daughter, Shayne Dahl Lamas was our 1998 Arizona Miss)

* Rex Harrison, Academy Award winning actor

Richard Crenna, actor

Gregory Hines, actor, and famous tap dancer

The following people have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year:

• NCAA President Myles Brand (diagnosed in January).

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice (diagnosed in January).

• Chuck Daly, former Detroit Pistons coach (announced in March).

For More Information on Pancreatic Cancer, go to:

www.pancan.org

2008 Royalty Check Presentation                                     2009 Royalty Check Presentation

Denise presents her Oncologist,  Dr. William Isacoff with check for

Pancreatic Cancer Research at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles - July 2009

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