Inspirational Story of Woman Who Reportedly Survived Pancreatic Cancer in Iconic Commercial
Before Alex Trebek, the famed Host of Jeopardy, captured the world’s attention with the announcement about his dreaded diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, much of the world had to stop and take note of the amazing story of Peggy Kessler.
Kessler’s numbers were astonishing in light of those that normally accompany this dreadful disease. It has been reported “Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States with a five-year survival rate of just 9 percent.”
USA Daily Chronicles offers similarly sobering numbers, noting “The world’s deadliest major cancer – pancreatic cancer – still has a five-year survival rate of just 9 percent, according to the Cancer Facts & Figures report released today by the American Cancer Society (ACS), and it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States as early as next year” (2019). “More than 56,700 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease in 2019 – representing a 2 percent increase over last year – and more than 45,700 people will die from it, the ACS report states. Pancreatic cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related death in this country, killing more people than breast cancer.”
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With the announcement of Trebek about his diagnosis, editors at USA Business Radio began to think of other important stories about this disease and then the name of Peggy Kessler came up. Kessler was a ten year survivor of this terrible disease when most Americans learned about her in a compelling TV commercial by Cancer Treatment Centers of America (see the commercial above).
So whatever happened to Peggy? With a little homework we found this sad notice:
“Peggy A. Kessler, 58, of rural Valley Springs, SD passed away Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Her funeral service will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, May 8 at First Congregational Church, Sioux Falls, with burial at Beaver Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Valley Springs, SD. Visitation begins at 5:00 PM Monday, May 7 at George Boom Funeral Chapel, Brandon, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
“Peggy A. Kessler was born on August 12, 1959 in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Celestine and Marvelyn (Tollgaard) Kessler. They moved to Brookings, South Dakota in 1965. Peggy graduated from Brookings High School in 1977 and went on to attend South Dakota State University and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Recreation. While attending SDSU, Peggy met Jana Carlson and the couple moved to Sioux Falls, where Peggy went to work for Zip Feed Mills until they closed in 2000. In 1984, they moved to Valley Springs, South Dakota and Peggy later began work with Luverne Truck Equipment in 2000 until the present. Peggy and Jana were married on November 27, 2013.”
“After being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2001, Peggy was an advocate through the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, answering countless emails and phone calls to offer help and support to others. Peggy also hosted 7 golf tournaments to raise awareness and funding for Pancreatic Cancer. In 2009, she received the Randy Pausch (author of the Last Lecture) award presented by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Washington, D.C.”
Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business show and Editor at Large of USA Business Radio, said that “Peggy Kessler provided great inspiration to many Americans and surviving 17 years with a high quality of life during much of that time offers hope to everyone touched by that terrible disease and their families.” Price’s own family was touched by the disease when his aunt was diagnosed with it in the early 80s and died shortly after.
The reason Pancreatic Cancer is particular daunting is that it is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Many don’t know they have it because the symptoms of the disease don’t often become clear until it has progressed to a “point of no return.” However, Alex Trebek says there are signs people should keep an eye out for and that he wish he had known of these symptoms. MarketWatch reports “In order to help patients fight and survive this disease, more attention and awareness are needed,” Trebek, 79, said in a one-minute video spot in support of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition. “I wish I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced prior to my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer.”
The article continues, “He listed many of the possible symptoms, including mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, new-onset diabetes and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Other potential symptoms include depression, fatigue, blood clots and appetite loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.”
The image in this article is a stock photo and is not Ms. Kessler.
