After the death of her husband, actor Patrick Swayze, from pancreatic cancer in 2009, Lisa Niemi Swayze has been a steadfast advocate for awareness of this deadly disease. In an emotional interview, she revealed the first subtle signs of Patrick’s illness—yellowing of the eyes and digestive issues—which led them to seek immediate medical attention. “He came to me and said, ‘Do my eyes look yellow?’” Lisa recalled. After visiting the doctor, Patrick was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and the couple embarked on a challenging journey of treatment and resilience.
Despite the grim diagnosis, Lisa and Patrick refused to give up, fighting the disease for as long as possible. Their unwavering determination brought them precious extra time together. Patrick passed away 20 months after his diagnosis, but his fight lives on through Lisa’s advocacy. Since then, she has worked with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, lobbying for more research and funding to combat the disease.
Lisa’s work continues to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer’s symptoms, urging others to recognize the early signs for early intervention.
