58 SEENA MAGOWITZ FOUNDATION Pancreatic Cancer Warriors down incredibly complex medical terminology into terms any patient can understand,” Young said of Dr. Von Hoff’s bedside manner. “Talking with him opened up a whole new world of hope for me, and not false hope, either – real, true hope, translated in plain language.” Now, almost 17 years later, and with the help of Dr. Von Hoff, he’s walked all three daughters down the aisle, gained three new granddaughters and celebrat - ed their birthdays, first steps and similar milestones. He also continues to draw upon the knowledge and hope he gained working with Dr. Von Hoff to encour - age countless other pancreatic cancer patients to join clinical trials and otherwise work toward a cure. He also hit the pavement quite literally for the cause, raising $100,000 for the TGen Foundation by partic - ipating in Georgia’s 10K Peachtree Road Race just a year after he could barely climb stairs. He also co-launched Howard Young’s Atlanta Golf Classic with John Morley and the Seena Magowitz Foundation to fund pancreatic cancer research, which is now in its tenth year and has raised, to date, more than $1 million. A board member for TGen, the chair of its National Pancreatic Cancer Committee, a patient ad - vocate for Stand Up to Cancer and an active member of many local pancreatic cancer efforts, he’s a tireless champion for the cause. And while finding a cure is his primary focus, he also looks to help those grappling with their own diagnoses learn to live life to the fullest and make the most of the time available to them. “People share some amazing things with you when they’re telling you goodbye,” he notes, adding that everyone from his business colleagues to his barber made efforts to connect with him after learning of his diagnosis. “It’s a shame people don’t always tell you, ‘I love you,’ ‘I think the world of you,’ in the absence of these circumstances,” Howard said. “If it weren’t for the chemotherapy and radiation, I’d recommend everyone go through it, because it tells you so much about what you mean to the people around you.” Nowadays, an estimated 44,000 Americans succumb to pancreatic cancer every year, and while the number of deaths linked to other common forms of cancer has remained relatively consistent, the number of pan - creatic cancer deaths in the United States continues to rise. More than 60 percent of those diagnosed with the disease die within one year of their diagnoses, while fewer than 10 percent of those afflicted live five years past their diagnosis dates. While some members of the pancreatic cancer community commonly cite these statistics, they’re something Young chooses to ignore. “Every individual is a statistic of one, and every individual has a fighting chance,” he recalls his doctor telling him early on. It’s a sentiment he’s held dear not only though his own battle, but in his efforts to help others fight theirs. “ So often, this disease is viewed as a death sentence, but what Dr. Von Hoff gives patients is confidence that’s grounded in real-life science,” Young said. “I wholeheartedly believe he is going to cure pancreatic cancer, and that he’ll quite possibly receive the Nobel Prize in the process.”

SEENA MAGOWITZ FOUNDATION 59 Pancreatic Cancer Warriors So, rather than dwell on the numbers, he’s decided to work toward some new ones of his own. To date, he has helped raise well over $3 million for pancreatic cancer research, and he’s also touched countless lives not only through fundraising, but through refusing to let patients facing similar hardships give up or lose hope when the going gets tough. He’s also cemented himself a symbol of hope for others struggling to come to terms with their own diagnoses, offering them the same strength and support other showed him, which he credits, alongside Dr. Von Hoff’s clinical trials, with helping save his own life. Rather than see a cure as something that might happen sometime in the distant future, Young explained, Dr. Von Hoff focuses on finding one today. And he’s not relying on the information in dusty books or referencing studies per - formed long ago in doing so, either – he’s making medical advancements literally every day in the fight against pan - creatic cancer, utilizing a comprehensive approach in doing so that attacks the disease from all angles. “So often, this disease is viewed as a death sentence, but what Dr. Von Hoff gives patients is confidence that’s grounded in real-life science,” Young said. “I wholeheartedly believe he is going to cure pancreatic cancer, and that he’ll quite possibly receive the Nobel Prize in the process.” SMARTPRACTICE.COM | 800.522.0800 Looking for a local partner to help grow your practice? Custom Design & Print • Practice Marketing • Automated Reminders Mailing Services • Patient Communications • Promotional Products Exam Glove Solutions • Allergic Contact Dermatitis Patch Testing Supplies Healthier Practices & Healthier Patients. Improving world health through Leaders in well being for 25 years. 2019 Join our team! oursmartjobs.com