70 SEENA MAGOWITZ FOUNDATION Pancreatic Cancer Warriors JOE LEVINE PANCREATIC CANCER WARRIOR Creating A Better World For Other Patients CARLIN KUHLMANN | CONTRI BUTI NG WRITER

SEENA MAGOWITZ FOUNDATION 71 Pancreatic Cancer Warriors When her cancer progressed and it became time for hospice care, Joe and his siblings were by her side. It was during that time that Levine noticed his urine had turned very dark. Levine’s wife, Tammy urged him to get to the emergency room where blood tests showed his Lipase level was very high. Other factors indicated an extreme case of pancreatitis. He was immediately admitted to the hospital. “For four days I was often on the phone with my mom making up stories why I couldn’t be there with her.” Levine said. An endoscopy revealed a blockage in his bile duct so a stent was inserted to open the block - age. He was discharged but scheduled for follow up testing a few weeks later. Levine was then fortunate to be with his mom during her last days. His follow up testing included an endoscopic retro - grade cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) which cap - tures images of the pancreatic and bile ducts. Levine’s gastroenterologist saw the growth and collected a sample to biopsy. Levine woke up from sedation to the grim news he had pancreatic cancer. He was devastated, yet ready to begin the fight. Fortu - nately, Levine’s cancer was operable. On July 1, 2015, Levine had the complex Whipple Procedure Surgery to remove the head of the pancreas, the first portion of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and the bile duct. Soon he was preparing for a clinical trial that included chemotherapy combined of Gemcitabine and Ab - raxane under the care of Mayo Clinic oncologist Dr. Mitesh Borad formally a researcher with the Transla - tional Genomics Research Institute (TGen). The trial had already shown some success in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Levine later learned the original trial was led by world renowned pancreatic cancer expert Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, Physician-in-Chief of TGen. Upon completing the clinical trial, Levine was declared cancer-free. “I’m convinced the trial killed any cancer floating around my system. Three and a half years later, I’m still clear,” Levine said. Levine is now closely followed by Dr. Erkut Borazanci of the HonorHealth Research Institute, who Levine de - scribes as “a compassionate soul on the cutting edge of pancreatic cancer research.” Today, Levine says his focus is elsewhere. “It’s about creating a better world for those around me. Helping others in the pancreatic support world.” At the 2018 Seena Magowtiz Foundation 16th Annual Golf Classic held in Boston, Levine’s list of friends grew larger. “I got to meet many other patients that are still experiencing the trauma of pancreatic can - cer, but are also finding hope through clinical trials administered by Dr. Von Hoff and Dr. Borazanci.” He also credited Roger Magowitz, founder of the Seena Magowitz Foundation in honor of his mother, for his support. JOE LEVINE GETS HIS POSITIVITY AND LOVE OF LIFE FROM HIS MOTHER, FREIDA. WHEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 4 OVARIAN CANCER, HER FOCUS WAS ON LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST.