Glenn's Story
This story is about cancer warrior Glenn Curtis. We are sharing Glenn’s story to spread awareness and hope. Glenn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2014, at age 74. He had already lost his mother, sister, and brother to pancreatic cancer when he was diagnosed. While his brother was undergoing treatment, Glenn enrolled in a surveillance study at Johns Hopkins. He and his wife, Linda, traveled to Baltimore several times each year for endoscopic ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI studies. After almost 8 years of surveillance, we heard the words that we had dreaded for so long: Glenn had pancreatic cancer.
Because of Glenn’s persistence with his surveillance program, the cancer was caught relatively early (stage IIb), and he was eligible for surgery. He had the Whipple procedure at Johns Hopkins and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Shortly after surgery, Glenn was also diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. After stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) at Johns Hopkins, he was in remission from lung cancer.
After surgery and during treatment, Glenn stayed active, kept a positive attitude, and continued to work as a machinist. He was cancer free for two and a half years. During that time, he took up tennis (at age 75), went on a cruise with Linda, and spent time outdoors.
We can’t tell our dad’s story without mentioning our mom’s role in his remarkable recovery. We witnessed firsthand the importance of the caregiver role, which is equally as important as the treatments. She lovingly managed appointments, medications, meals, hydration, and chemotherapy side effects. We also credit the many physicians, nurses, and support staff who were involved in Glenn’s treatment. He frequently received comments from physicians and medical professionals on his overall health, mobility, activity level, and attitude. Many members of his medical team remarked that they rarely had seen pancreatic cancer patients like Glenn who lived so well with this cancer for so long.
Glenn enrolled in any study or trial for which he was eligible, both before and after his diagnosis. Most of the studies were of no benefit to him directly, but he was willing to participate to help improve early detection and treatment for other families affected by this disease.
When the cancer returned in 2016, Glenn coordinated care with his doctors at Johns Hopkins and the oncology team at Penn State Health in Reading. During an additional 3 years of chemotherapy, he and Linda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. We surprised him with an 80th birthday party and he enjoyed trips to the beach, lake, and mountains.
Five years after Glenn’s initial cancer diagnosis, the tables were turned and our mom, Linda, was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Since Glenn’s cancer had been stable after 3 years of chemotherapy, he elected to take a break to help Linda recover from her kidney cancer surgery.
Glenn continued his follow-up checkups and scans, but unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2021. Never one to give up, Glenn underwent chemo again at age 82 and continued to work as a machinist. He lost his battle with cancer on March 21, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
This year, 64,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. Currently, the overall 5-year survival rate is only 12%, but it was only 9% when Glenn was diagnosed. For patients with regional involvement, like Glenn, the 5-year survival rate was a dismal 12%. Glenn battled this disease for 8 years.
If you have a family member with pancreatic cancer, we urge you and other family members to get any type of screening available (genetic testing, MRI, early detection studies, endoscopic ultrasound at a research center). While we miss Glenn, our wish is that his story will give hope to others who are diagnosed with this disease. Remember Glenn’s story and how he stayed positive and enjoyed life.
This story is about cancer warrior Glenn Curtis. We are sharing Glenn’s story to spread awareness and hope. Glenn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2014, at age 74. He had already lost his mother, sister, and brother to pancreatic cancer when he was diagnosed. While his brother was undergoing treatment, Glenn enrolled in a surveillance study at Johns Hopkins. He and his wife, Linda, traveled to Baltimore several times each year for endoscopic ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI studies. After almost 8 years of surveillance, we heard the words that we had dreaded for so long: Glenn had pancreatic cancer.
Because of Glenn’s persistence with his surveillance program, the cancer was caught relatively early (stage IIb), and he was eligible for surgery. He had the Whipple procedure at Johns Hopkins and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Shortly after surgery, Glenn was also diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. After stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) at Johns Hopkins, he was in remission from lung cancer.
After surgery and during treatment, Glenn stayed active, kept a positive attitude, and continued to work as a machinist. He was cancer free for two and a half years. During that time, he took up tennis (at age 75), went on a cruise with Linda, and spent time outdoors.
We can’t tell our dad’s story without mentioning our mom’s role in his remarkable recovery. We witnessed firsthand the importance of the caregiver role, which is equally as important as the treatments. She lovingly managed appointments, medications, meals, hydration, and chemotherapy side effects. We also credit the many physicians, nurses, and support staff who were involved in Glenn’s treatment. He frequently received comments from physicians and medical professionals on his overall health, mobility, activity level, and attitude. Many members of his medical team remarked that they rarely had seen pancreatic cancer patients like Glenn who lived so well with this cancer for so long.
Glenn enrolled in any study or trial for which he was eligible, both before and after his diagnosis. Most of the studies were of no benefit to him directly, but he was willing to participate to help improve early detection and treatment for other families affected by this disease.
When the cancer returned in 2016, Glenn coordinated care with his doctors at Johns Hopkins and the oncology team at Penn State Health in Reading. During an additional 3 years of chemotherapy, he and Linda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. We surprised him with an 80th birthday party and he enjoyed trips to the beach, lake, and mountains.
Five years after Glenn’s initial cancer diagnosis, the tables were turned and our mom, Linda, was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Since Glenn’s cancer had been stable after 3 years of chemotherapy, he elected to take a break to help Linda recover from her kidney cancer surgery.
Glenn continued his follow-up checkups and scans, but unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2021. Never one to give up, Glenn underwent chemo again at age 82 and continued to work as a machinist. He lost his battle with cancer on March 21, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
This year, 64,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. Currently, the overall 5-year survival rate is only 12%, but it was only 9% when Glenn was diagnosed. For patients with regional involvement, like Glenn, the 5-year survival rate was a dismal 12%. Glenn battled this disease for 8 years.
If you have a family member with pancreatic cancer, we urge you and other family members to get any type of screening available (genetic testing, MRI, early detection studies, endoscopic ultrasound at a research center). While we miss Glenn, our wish is that his story will give hope to others who are diagnosed with this disease. Remember Glenn’s story and how he stayed positive and enjoyed life.
Meet our Cancer Warriors
Michael Balliet
Ethan Blackbird
Cindy Briner
Joan Chestnut
Daniel E. Combs
Cricket Hile
Kathy Mitchell
Mark Mooney
Gloria Myers
Alicia Bracale Nyer
Kent Peachey
Mary Smith
Will Stone
Michael Balliet
Ethan Blackbird
Cindy Briner
Joan Chestnut
Daniel E. Combs
Cricket Hile
Kathy Mitchell
Mark Mooney
Gloria Myers
Alicia Bracale Nyer
Kent Peachey
Mary Smith
Will Stone
For more information on how to be a cancer warrior or submit a story
Please contact [email protected] .
Please contact [email protected] .