Lisa Niemi Swayze Inspire Awards 2011 Honoree AARP The Magazine
Lisa Niemi Swayze, Inspire Awards 2011 Honoree - AARP The Magazine Advocacy
Today, a year after Swayze's death at 57, Niemi Swayze is a spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, working tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease that kills 37,000 Americans each year. Invoking the memory of her beloved husband of 34 years, she is a public speaker and lends her name to mailings and fund-raising. She’s also working to help pass federal legislation that will funnel more research dollars to pancreatic cancer, which is among the lowest funded of all cancers. Her dream is to see Swayze's name attached to a breakthrough drug for pancreatic cancer. "If his illness and my work have anything to do with a meaningful treatment for this disease, I would consider it the best thing I’ve ever done," she says. "I know Patrick would hold that in higher regard than his entire acting career." Video by Ben Baker
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Lisa Niemi Swayze Searching for a Cure
When actor Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008, he knew he didn’t have long to live. "My husband said, 'I'm a dead man,' " recalls Lisa Niemi Swayze, 54, an author, choreographer, and director in her own right.Today, a year after Swayze's death at 57, Niemi Swayze is a spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, working tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease that kills 37,000 Americans each year. Invoking the memory of her beloved husband of 34 years, she is a public speaker and lends her name to mailings and fund-raising. She’s also working to help pass federal legislation that will funnel more research dollars to pancreatic cancer, which is among the lowest funded of all cancers. Her dream is to see Swayze's name attached to a breakthrough drug for pancreatic cancer. "If his illness and my work have anything to do with a meaningful treatment for this disease, I would consider it the best thing I’ve ever done," she says. "I know Patrick would hold that in higher regard than his entire acting career." Video by Ben Baker
Inspire Awards Honorees
Lisa Niemi SwayzeCancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures