Melrose Couple Fights Together Against Pancreatic Cancer

When cancer strikes it can be devastating not only for the patient, but for their family as well. In times like these, families get by with help from other family members, friends, and care givers who give them hope.

After being in this situation, Melrose residents Lindsay and Jake Seal went a step further and started their own community action and support group.

The day the Seals returned from their honeymoon Lindsay’s mother was diagnosed with stage four inoperable pancreatic cancer. She passed four months later at the age of 51. During that trying time where they were assisting Lindsay’s mother in her hometown of Pittsburgh, the Seals had a chance encounter with the Pittsburgh affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. For the Seals, the encounter was inspiring.

“They immediately reached out to help and support my mother,” Lindsay said. “It gave us a sense of hope at a time when you can feel very alone.”

When the Seals returned to Melrose they immediately contacted the national offices of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to ask how they could help out locally. The only problem was they didn’t have a local affiliate.

“So they asked me if we wanted to start one, and we jumped at the opportunity,” Lindsay said. In January of last year, the Boston affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network was started with the Seals at the helm.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network was started in 1999 to bring people together to help advance research, support patients, and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer.  

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with a survival rate of merely 6 percent. Between raising funds for research, lobbying for government spending towards research, and raising awareness amongst caregivers, the group hopes to double the survival rate by 2020.

In addition to this, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network provides a support system for current patients, consisting of, among other things, survivors of pancreatic cancer, to help them through their illness.

According to Lindsay there previously had been a local affiliate, but the national office lost contact with the group about three years ago. Now that the Seals have re-established the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s presence in the area, they’re ready to continue the fight against pancreatic cancer. On Saturday, Sept. 10, they will hold their biggest fundraiser yet, a 5K walk/run called PurpleStride Boston—purple being the color for pancreatic cancer—in the Franklin Park Zoo and have already raised almost $120,000 through the event.

“I’m amazed by the response,” Lindsay said. “It shows how much people were looking to support pancreatic cancer research in this area.”

In November the group will hold remembrance vigil in Boston called PurpleLight to remember loved ones lost to pancreatic cancer. “It reminds us what we’re fighting for,” said Jake, who lost his grandmother to pancreatic cancer.

Just 18 months in, the group has grown tremendously with over 250 registered volunteers and an email list of over 4,500 people. The team has visited hospitals as far as Worcester County and has reached out to affiliates in Connecticut and Rhode Island. They’re also heavily involved in trying to establish an affiliate in New Hampshire. It’s a lot of work but, for the Seals, it all comes down to hope.

“Being affected or having a loved one affected by cancer is a scary time, and sometimes all you need is a little hope to get through,” said Lindsay. “What we do requires a lot of time and effort, but when we see the hope that our work gives people, its all worth it. Its an amazing feeling.”