Thanks J-LEAD

In the Oct. 27 issue of The Chronicle, an article submitted by KU Hillel titled “KU Hillel’s J-Lead gives college students ownership over Jewish programming” This program has been a great opportunity for college students to understand grant allocation and lay leadership opportunities that will exist for them in their communities after college.
J-LEAD, a program of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, has provided the funding to KU Hillel and allowed this opportunity for students. The KU Hillel program was named in honor of the Jewish Community Foundation’s program. We have been very appreciative and feel that through this opportunity we are able to encourage development into Jewish adulthood for our own Kansas City community and beyond.

Malinda Kimmel,
Assistant Director of Jewish Student Life
KU Hillel

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths and yet is one of the least funded by the National Institute of Health (2 percent of the overall budget). As some of you may recall, my mom Barbara Hersh died from this terrible disease in November 2006. I did not know anything about pancreatic cancer at the time of her diagnosis. But sadly within the 145 days until she died, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about the disease. The reason why pancreatic cancer (PC) is thought to be a “death sentence” is that there are no early detection tests available and once symptoms are present, it is typically stage IV — there is no stage V. Who is at risk? The short list includes Ashkenazi Jews, which is why I continue to try to educate our community. Ninety-four percent of people with PC will die within five years of being diagnosed. The majority of those people die within three to six months of diagnosis. PC statistics have not changed for the better by more than 3 percent in the past 40 years. I hope with awareness and funding this will change in my lifetime. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; to learn more and find ways to help please visit www.pancan.org.

Michelle Hersh
Phoenix, Ariz.