Bron Sheriff

I'm fundraising for everyone who has received the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and the hope for clinical and laboratory breakthroughs to significantly improve treatment options and survival outcomes.

I am participating in Lustgarten's Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research as part of Team Sheriff to celebrate the progress that has been made and to power tomorrow's research.  We would appreciate your support as I embrace Lustgarten's vision of transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease. Donate to my page or to Team Sheriff and provide hope to thousands of families touched by this devastating disease.

Why Lustgarten? They are the nation’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research. Thanks to separate funding of administrative expenses, 100% of my fundraising and your donation funds pancreatic cancer research - research led by Lustgarten and powered by you! Together, we will raise more money for research advancements than I ever could alone.

Your contribution will help achieve our goal so that more funding can be allocated for research into early detection and new treatments. Please share this page with any friends you think might be interested in donating, and join me on this journey towards a cure.

My story:

On Christmas Eve, 2024, my doctor called me to inform me I had a cancerous tumor on my pancreas.  This was the result of testing I had done due to discolored urine and jaundice. My life suddenly changed in an instant.  I went from being strong and in great health to having cancer and a potential death sentence. The joy of the season and my retirement travel plans disappeared in a flash. 

We went to the ER the day after Christmas and had a successful Endoscopy that placed a stent in my bile duct.  The duct was forced closed by my tumor.  That solved the jaundice issue.  We met with the LVHN Oncology team and planned to have the Whipple procedure.  Fortunately, my tumor was at the head of the pancreas and operable.  Only about 15-20% of pancreatic cancer patients are eligible for surgery.  I had the Whipple January 28, 2025 and was in the hospital for 8 days.  I had some side effects from the surgery which required 2 more emergency visits to the hospital followed by surgery March 6 by the Urology team.  Then I started 6 months of intensive chemotherapy, 12 treatments starting in April.  An additional side effect of the Whipple was the development of 3 hernias, which I had to wait to repair until January 2026.  I spent a lot of time in the Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals and must say that my level of care throughout my cancer journey was outstanding. There is a great Oncology team working with me to defeat this ugly foe and thus far they have kept me alive and almost back to normal! 

I was blessed to be eligible for a new Pancreatic vaccine trial developed by Elicio Therapeutics. Fortunately, Lehigh Valley Hospital was one of three in the United States selected for phase I trials. I met all the requirements for the trial. I began that treatment without hesitation in December 2025 and will complete it in May 2026.  Thus far, very little side effects, and preliminary results look promising.

Through this journey I was supported by my wonderful wife Nancy who spent countless hours by my side in the hospital and during infusions.  I also had amazing support from family members, relatives,  church friends and my Pastor.  I’m not sure how anyone can deal with this alone, and having a strong faith with support from my church was central to my ability to stay positive and battle this disease.  

I am now very in tune with reports of people dying from pancreatic cancer.  The 5-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer is approximately 13%. Over the past 5 years there has not been much improvement in the survival rates; however, with the development of new vaccines and trials, there is finally some hope.  That is why I am raising money for pancreatic cancer research.  I pray and hope to see the survival rates increase over my remaining lifetime and I am participating in a phase 1 trial to help do my part to evolve these innovative vaccines so they can be standard treatment options available to all. 

My cancer currently appears to be non-visible both in scans and in blood tests, which I am so thankful for. 

There is a good chance you know someone who has been affected by cancer.  I was amazed after joining our church’s prayer chain  that of the first 10 people we were asked to pray for, 9 of them had some form of cancer.  

Work with me to help provide needed funds for organizations such as the Lustgarten Foundation who sponsor and support research programs with the greatest potential for impacting patients, including early detection, therapeutics and personalized medicine.  Let’s work to cure this disease in our lifetime.