Randy Pausch: An Inspiration to All

On what is the 54th birthday of someone I cherish, I learned Dr. Randy Pausch died of pancreatic cancer at age 47. I got a copy of his book thanks to a friend of mine who gave me a Barnes & Noble gift card on my last day of work (after 30 years). I read every word and I'm trying to remember and live by Dr. Pausch's words as they apply to my life. I cherish my family (I did that long before I knew of Dr. Pausch). I try to be prepared. And, by inches, I'll re-learn how to dream and to make those dreams come true. I didn't and do not share his love of video games; truthfully, I think they're a dreadful waste of time. But I admire his spirit in pursuing the things he loved, especially in caring for his beautiful family.

But what angers me is this: This man didn't have to die of pancreatic cancer. If Congress gave the same amount of money to pancreatic cancer research as it does to breast cancer research, then maybe Randy would still be alive. Maybe he would have lived long enough to see Dylan, Logan and Chloe grow up. But because pancreatic cancer isn't "politically correct" and doesn't have the activism behind it the way breast cancer does, it doesn't get the funding that is so vital. When I heard he had testified before Congress, begging for more funding, I lauded him for his efforts (though I fear they fell on deaf ears). But when I heard he introduced Jai as his widow, I became enraged because I know what he's talking about --- as I said, this cancer isn't getting the funding it needs even though the 5-year survival rate is only 5 percent. Sadly, Randy was in the 95 percent of those who die of the disease. What will it take for Congress to give pancreatic cancer the same treatment as breast cancer as far as funding is concerned?

One edit- The article says he started doing push ups. In fact, he started doing them one handed.