Survivors, friends and family walk in high winds at Jones Beach to fight pancreatic cancer

At the start of 2022, Luis Vargas was undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer. Seven months later, he was scaling mountains in Colorado.

“People should know there is hope,” said Vargas, 63 of New Hyde Park, before he took part in the Lustgarten Foundation Long Island Walk for Research at Jones Beach on Sunday. The event raises money for pancreatic cancer research. “The diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence,” he said.

Sunday’s overcast weather did not dissuade a large crowd — survivors as well as friends and family of former patients —   from attending the walk, which was limited to the parking lot due to high winds. They wore purple, the color symbolizing support for pancreatic cancer, and carried signs of photos of their loved ones. More than 4,000 people were registered and about 1,100 turned out, organizers said. An early estimate on money raised was more than $700,000.

Pancreatic cancer makes up about of 3% of all cancers in the United States and 7% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

The organization estimates about 62,210 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and close to 50,000 people will die from the disease this year.

“Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers,” said Dr. Sandeep Anantha, a surgical oncologist at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute who performed Vargas’ surgery earlier this year. “It’s got very vague symptoms … weight loss that you can't explain, bloating that you can't explain, back pain that you can't explain. If you have any of those, you should get checked out. Don't ignore it. "

Early diagnosis is key to treating pancreatic cancer and Vargas credited his wife, Stacy, with pushing him to go to the doctor.

“I had symptoms similar to GERD,” Vargas said, referring to gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes heartburn. “I also has some discomfort in my abdominal area.”

In June 2021, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Vargas underwent six months of chemotherapy and one month of radiation before having surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in January 2022.

They used the complex Whipple procedure which involved removing part of his pancreas but also impacted some other organs.

“It’s like rearranging part of the plumbing,” he joked.

Anantha said research into pancreatic cancer is yielding new treatment for many patients.

“Twenty-five years ago we had very few options,” he said. “Some of the surgeries can now be done robotically and with minimally invasive techniques … I think in the future we will have more and more personalized medicine.”

Sherry and Steve Schweitzer of Commack took part in the walk to honor Steve’s brother, Bob, who died of pancreatic cancer about four years ago.

“He only lived for three months after they identified it,” Steve Schweitzer said. “He was sick but they thought it was his gall bladder. He was shocked and we were shocked.”

The couple, who wore large photos of Bob around their neck, said they wanted to join in the positive spirit of the day that a cure will be found for pancreatic cancer.

“We are trying to be optimistic and be here with everyone,” Steve Schweitzer said.

Michelle Cowans of Roosevelt participated in the walk with her son T.J. to remember her mother, Judy Myrick, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2017 after being diagnosed one year earlier.

“My mother was everything,” Cowans said smiling. “She was a sweet, beautiful soul. She tried to do for everybody and loved everybody … I want to support the cause so they can find a cure.”

Vargas said he is getting back to living his life and returning to his job as a service delivery manager at a telecommunications company.

That included a summer trip to Colorado where Vargas could take part in his passion for hiking and reached the summit of Mount Elbert, the highest point in the state.

“I wanted to raise awareness that there’s hope, support and help,” Vargas said. “You don’t have to suffer through this alone.”

By Lisa L. Colangelo

lisa.colangelo@newsday.com@lisalcolangelo

Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.