Sky Foundation
Aiding those with pancreas cancer.
Linda Laderman
Special to the Jewish News
F
or Sheila Sky Kasselman of West
Bloomfield, this November
brings many reasons to be
thankful. Six years after being diagnosed
with pancreas cancer, she has emerged
as a local leader in the fight to raise
awareness about this disease by funding
research and stressing the importance of
early detection.
Kasselman founded
Sky Foundation Inc.,
which is honoring its
five-year milestone on
Nov. 3 at its annual
fundraising luncheon
at the Townsend
Hotel in Birmingham.
November is Pancreas
Sheila Sky
Cancer Awareness
Kasselman
Month.
According to the site www.cancer.gov,
overall, 6 percent of those diagnosed
with pancreas cancer survive five years.
Kasselman is aware that "part of the
detection problem with pancreas cancer
is that it can present differently in dif-
ferent people. Symptoms can be general,
like weight-loss.
"I was very fortunate; my tumor was
located in a place that called attention to
the cancer, and my doctors made choices
for my treatment that worked for me
Her positive, pro-active outlook led
her gastroenterologist to urge her to
start a foundation. As a former financial
planner and community organizer, she
took the idea to heart. She reached out to
supporters, applied for nonprofit status
and began a journey that has taken her
across the country in search of pancreas
cancer surgeons and researchers who
will share their knowledge with Sky
Foundation.
"It is not unusual for patients and their
families to reach out to me," she said. "I
can't advise them on their medical care,
but I can connect them with doctors at
various medical institutions. Finding the
right doctor is key:"
Kasselman does her best to be avail-
able for patients and families once
they've been diagnosed.
'As a patient, it is essential to ask
many questions and, if possible, have a
personal advocate to listen objectively
at appointments. There are treatment
options and trials, but truly being aware
of symptoms and trying to catch it early
is the best hope:'
In June, Sky Foundation held a sym-
posium attended by more than 300
people, many of them patients and their
families.
"We had a panel of pancreas cancer
experts to address the audience she
said. "There was so much interest that
the doctors stayed and talked with sev-
eral of the patients"
Sky Foundation has a research part-
nership with the Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute and has established a
Scientific Advisory Committee to guide
the foundation's governing board. There
is also a young professional group focus-
ing on awareness events.
At 73, Kasselman doesn't see herself
slowing down.
"It's what I do," she said. "It a terrible
disease because by the time it is detect-
able it has often reached a critical stage:'
Now she's off to another conference. "I
might learn something that can help the
pancreas cancer community:' she said.
"Connecting people with information is
essential7
Visit www.SkyFoundationInc.org or
call (248) 978-9845 for information. ❑
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