And that gives me unbelievable hope that there are people out there trying to figure out how to eliminate this cancer. And I am going to look at that. That
is what I am going to focus on, the research that needs to be done. It might be one scientist at one university, but we can only hope that he or she has some
successes that might be able to help me or someone else who comes down with this disease later on. We have to turn the numbers around. We have to see
more survivors just like we are seeing with breast cancer and prostate cancer. We have to be able to see more survivors. We have to be able to fight this disease
in what ever way we can.”
Nuñez completed her treatments in September. And she is happy to proclaim that she is tumor free and cancer free. She began working again part-time as
the director of the Madison Dept. of Civil Rights. Eventually as her stamina builds up again, Nuñez plans to work full-time.
Due to the reoccurring nature of pancreatic cancer and to make sure the vaccines are working, Nuñez must under go tests. “I have to have a CAT scan and
blood work every three months just to make sure I stay cancer and tumor free,” she said. While Nuñez can have the tests performed in Madison, Northwestern
University will get the results of her tests as a part of the study.
The cause of finding a cure for pancreatic cancer will always be something at the forefront of Nuñez’s mind. During her ordeal, she learned how much it
inflicts communities of color in America. “The incident rate among African Americans is 40-50 percent higher than other groups,” Nuñez emphasized. “I think
that is important for us to look at as to why that is happening. What are the factors there and how do we get the word out to the African American community
about this kind of cancer? What do we look for? How do we advocate for ourselves as it relates to early detection and getting certain screening and tests done to
see what is going on.”
Nuñez is also very high on Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PCAN). “PCAN is an international organization with local affiliates that was started by some
people who lost a member of their family to pancreatic cancer,” Nuñez said. “It’s a wonderful organization that helps get the word out and educate people, not
only survivors, but also people with cancer and connect them to clinical trials and resources as well as advocate for more research money to go to pancreatic
cancer.”
The Madison chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is holding a benefit Jazzed for Hop on November 1 at the Nakoma Golf Club beginning at
7 p.m. with evening cocktail attire required. The cost is $75 per person. For more about the benefit and PCAN, visit www.jazzedforhope.org. Lucia Nuñez will
appreciate the support.
is what I am going to focus on, the research that needs to be done. It might be one scientist at one university, but we can only hope that he or she has some
successes that might be able to help me or someone else who comes down with this disease later on. We have to turn the numbers around. We have to see
more survivors just like we are seeing with breast cancer and prostate cancer. We have to be able to see more survivors. We have to be able to fight this disease
in what ever way we can.”
Nuñez completed her treatments in September. And she is happy to proclaim that she is tumor free and cancer free. She began working again part-time as
the director of the Madison Dept. of Civil Rights. Eventually as her stamina builds up again, Nuñez plans to work full-time.
Due to the reoccurring nature of pancreatic cancer and to make sure the vaccines are working, Nuñez must under go tests. “I have to have a CAT scan and
blood work every three months just to make sure I stay cancer and tumor free,” she said. While Nuñez can have the tests performed in Madison, Northwestern
University will get the results of her tests as a part of the study.
The cause of finding a cure for pancreatic cancer will always be something at the forefront of Nuñez’s mind. During her ordeal, she learned how much it
inflicts communities of color in America. “The incident rate among African Americans is 40-50 percent higher than other groups,” Nuñez emphasized. “I think
that is important for us to look at as to why that is happening. What are the factors there and how do we get the word out to the African American community
about this kind of cancer? What do we look for? How do we advocate for ourselves as it relates to early detection and getting certain screening and tests done to
see what is going on.”
Nuñez is also very high on Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PCAN). “PCAN is an international organization with local affiliates that was started by some
people who lost a member of their family to pancreatic cancer,” Nuñez said. “It’s a wonderful organization that helps get the word out and educate people, not
only survivors, but also people with cancer and connect them to clinical trials and resources as well as advocate for more research money to go to pancreatic
cancer.”
The Madison chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is holding a benefit Jazzed for Hop on November 1 at the Nakoma Golf Club beginning at
7 p.m. with evening cocktail attire required. The cost is $75 per person. For more about the benefit and PCAN, visit www.jazzedforhope.org. Lucia Nuñez will
appreciate the support.
By Jonathan Gramling
Part 2 of 2
It’s been a difficult few years for Lucia Nuñez, the director of Madison’s Civil Rights Department. She helplessly and
painfully watched her brother in New York die from pancreatic cancer two years ago. And then during the King Holiday
weekend last January, she came down with some flu-like symptoms. It ended up being pancreatic cancer.
Nuñez was operated on in February at UW Hospital and underwent chemo and radiation therapy. In addition, she was
fortunately admitted to a trial on a pancreatic cancer vaccine that essentially would retrain her body to fight new
pancreatic cells.
Not only was Nuñez blessed with being enrolled in the experimental treatment, but she also had very supportive
family and cadre of friends and neighbors who formed a circle of support around the family during the seven months of
treatment.
Nuñex was also blessed with a positive outlook on life, which is so important to recovery from surgery and illness. “I
never realized how much of a cup half full kind of person I am,” Nuñez said. “I am so optimistic and hopeful and have so
much faith. You have to go through something pretty devastating like this to find out what you are made of. I am
optimistic. I am optimistic that I am going to fight this as much as I can. I do believe there are incredible scientists out
there working on this. Scientists are trying to figure out how to attach toxins to pancreatic cells to kill them off.
Part 2 of 2
It’s been a difficult few years for Lucia Nuñez, the director of Madison’s Civil Rights Department. She helplessly and
painfully watched her brother in New York die from pancreatic cancer two years ago. And then during the King Holiday
weekend last January, she came down with some flu-like symptoms. It ended up being pancreatic cancer.
Nuñez was operated on in February at UW Hospital and underwent chemo and radiation therapy. In addition, she was
fortunately admitted to a trial on a pancreatic cancer vaccine that essentially would retrain her body to fight new
pancreatic cells.
Not only was Nuñez blessed with being enrolled in the experimental treatment, but she also had very supportive
family and cadre of friends and neighbors who formed a circle of support around the family during the seven months of
treatment.
Nuñex was also blessed with a positive outlook on life, which is so important to recovery from surgery and illness. “I
never realized how much of a cup half full kind of person I am,” Nuñez said. “I am so optimistic and hopeful and have so
much faith. You have to go through something pretty devastating like this to find out what you are made of. I am
optimistic. I am optimistic that I am going to fight this as much as I can. I do believe there are incredible scientists out
there working on this. Scientists are trying to figure out how to attach toxins to pancreatic cells to kill them off.
Lucia Nuñez went back to work
recently
recently
| Lucia Nuñez and her fight against pancreatic cancer Winning the Battle |