Beckage Brave
Not Giving Up On The Prevention Of Pancreatic Cancer
Beckage Brave is a network of "out-of-the-box" thinkers looking to focus on the prevention of pancreatic cancer.
Jennifer Beckage, tech business owner, data security lawyer, and mom of 4, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She wants to change the incredibly low odds of survival by approaching the problem in a different way.
Jennifer Beckage is a pancreatic survivor.
Diagnosed in her early 40s (shortly after completing a sprint triathlon), Jen, a mom of 4 and data security & privacy attorney, is beating the odds. And they are not good odds.
Pancreatic Cancer is the 3d leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. It has horrible odds. The five year survival rate is 11%. There is almost a 90% chance of not beating this cancer from rapidly taking your life.
This is unacceptable in a world where we have advanced technologies - from AI to commercial space flights - we are smart, resilient people.
Let's add pancreatic cancer to the list of other cancers and diseases that once also had horrible odds.
Prevention of Pancreatic Cancer.
jen@beckagebrave.com
Some pictures from my pancreatic cancer journey. I was diagnosed on January 10, 2020 and went through about a year of surgery, chemo, and radiation. All during COVID. At this time, so many were electing to stay home and not receive treatment because of the fear of contracting COVID.
When I was not wearing a wig, with my thin hair and balding head, I would often wear scarfs, hats, and caps.
I was terrified to start chemo at the same time the world shut down from COVID. I wore several layers of clothes and protective gear. After chemo, I would remove the outer layer of clothes and protective gear, put in a garbage bag and put in the trunk of the car. Then I would sanitize and enter the car. Once home, I would remove final layers and hop in the shower - all (so I thought) would prevent my family (and myself) from contracting COVID.
An inspirational sign I saw before chemo treatment started. It is true. You have to have hope - its stronger than fear. Hope allows you to just keep going.