"I hope we get out of life
what efforts we put forth
to comfort those in need"
~ Roger Magowitz
Seena Magowitz.
The Inspiring Legacy
That day in 2001, my heart was ripped out. In shock, fear and mentally exhausted, I tried to understand what just happened. My Mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given just months to live. I realized that shortness of time had become the enemy. I stared at my watch for hours, then removed it and tucked it safely away as if it would let time stand still.
Seena Magowitz, My Mother
She was a single Mom. She worked hard creating a humble life for us during my younger years in a one bedroom apartment. She was a tough lady yet compassionate and philanthropic. We had a strong bond. She taught me responsibility and tenacity to succeed.
I remember the endless hours she and my grandmother dedicated as leaders of the "Friendly Group", a charitable organization that raised funds donated to Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, New York to assist with its cancer research. They left an imprint on me of how important it is to help the community with a giving heart.
That fateful day of her diagnosis is embedded forever. Unrecognizable symptoms had permitted the cancer to advance well-beyond the survival stage. Absent of even a sliver of hope and no viable treatment options, she bravely asked the oncologist how much time she had. With empathetic voice, the doctor said maybe a year, but the average life expectancy was 3 to 6 months.
My Mother was a fighter and mentally prepared herself for the battle that lay ahead. I was devastated facing the inevitable loss of my Mother. Angry at such a brutal disease that permitted so little time. I knew nothing about this dreadful killer. Why so little time? Why were there no meaningful treatment options? No drugs to give even the slightest hope? Had the medical and science industry turned a blind-eye to the most deadly of cancers?
I came to some conclusions why so little advancement had been made in dealing with pancreatic cancer since new, life extending treatments for other cancer types continued to evolve. Government and public funding of pancreatic cancer research was deficient. Patients die so quickly, we lose them as advocates that are needed to energize grass- roots movement to fund vital research.
A Commitment To Raising The Voice
After a very long grieving period, with Mom's philanthropic attitude instilled within me, I became passionately committed to helping fund expert research to help quicken the discovery of life extending treatment options that one day would lead to a cure of pancreatic cancer. There was a reason God had taken my 64 year-old Mother. It is her legacy that compelled me to fight for improved quality of patient life, earlier detection methods, enhanced treatments, and eventual eradication.
More Faces of Support
I had the good fortune of meeting Jai Pausch who is the widow of Randy Pausch who made his famous "Last Lecture" speech at Carnegie Mellon that has been viewed over 12 million times. His book "The Last Lecture" has sold 5 million copies before he died of pancreatic cancer in 2008.
Randy used his diagnosis in the most heroic way imaginable, to bring awareness to pancreatic cancer and the importance that we all take a stand and support funding for research. In pain, he testified before Congress advocating and appealing for greater federal funding for pancreatic cancer research. He filmed several public service announcements and made numerous television appearances with Jai to open the eyes of the world of the need for both grass roots and government action towards the eventual eradication of pancreatic cancer.
Stricken in 2006, Randy died on July 25, 2008 at age 47. He left a legacy that became the pulse of pancreatic cancer. He remained hopeful this disease would eventually be conquered. The Seena Magowitz Foundation is indeed fortunate to have Jai Pausch's continuing support to help sustain Randy's vision.
The Face of Pancreatic Cancer Research
When a cure of pancreatic cancer is achieved, you can bet that Dr. Daniel Von Hoff will be a contributor. As Director of TGen's Clinical Translational Research Division he is the driving force behind pancreatic research. The Seena Magowitz Foundation proudly donates funds to seed a Global Program supporting clinical trials to fight this disease.
Donated funds help Dr. Von Hoff and his team to continue studies on two new promising treatments for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer of which have been presented at a national cancer conference that show improved outcomes using cutting-edge technology called molecular profiling to determine a patient's course of treatment. Recently, TGen's Clinical Transitional Research Division and Dr. Von Hoff have joined with Asuragen, Inc., a leading therapeutic and diagnostics company, to develop an early detection test for pancreatic cancer.
The Fight Will Continue
Thanks to an ever-enlarging group of corporate sponsors and the motivating visions of Jai Pausch and Dr. Daniel Von Hoff our combined passions will lead to results. My hope is to inspire new faces to join this collective battle.
My wristwatch? It will remain safely tucked away until this mission is achieved.
Roger E. Magowitz
Founder and Chairman
The Seena Magowitz Foundation
