The following section features a selection of patient stories submitted to the 2015 Hero of Hope™ Patient Award. These stories illustrate the range of extraordinary patient profiles submitted by patients, family members, friends, and healthcare providers.
I first met Maurice Bason at a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) support group meeting, which I attended in support of my sister Diane. Maurice and I were sitting next to each other and, being shy, I introduced myself, and we began sharing our stories—me, a registered nurse with 15 years of oncology background, and he, a pancreatic cancer survivor. I became enthralled with his story when he said he was a 6-year pancreatic cancer survivor (and that was in 2012!).
Maurice spoke to our support group, because he is the face of surviving such a deadly disease. He is the epitome of hope for my sister, our family, and for all those who know him. Maurice is also one of the most intelligent, passionate, and caring people I have ever met.
His knowledge about pancreatic cancer, treatment, associated costs, and research studies is astonishing. It’s no wonder he was our PanCAN local support representative at the time. Maurice continues to work countless hours on a local level and on a national level, tirelessly getting our government to understand the need for cancer research, and great need for federal monies.
It is no surprise that Maurice is currently PanCAN’s Wage Hope Education & Outreach Coordinator Cincinnati Affiliate, and is on the National Volunteer Advisory Council of PanCAN. There is no better person to put a face to this horrible disease.
Maurice volunteers many hours, providing firsthand information and support to patients and caregivers. When a patient is sitting in the chair getting chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer for the first time, the oncology nurse is now “armed” with information, and is able to give hope to the patient to fight this deadly cancer and even to survive it.
My sister continues her fight with pancreatic cancer: it has been 6 years now. She and our family have been blessed with having a “Maurice” in our life, and we have been graced with his endless efforts and knowledge. As a caregiver, I am able to network with other patients and share Maurice’s story, along with giving them hope at a time when they need it most.
