Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. So any bit of progress on the pancreatic cancer front is a big deal. And researchers are happy to report they've found a chemotherapy drug that can help patients who have received surgery prevent a return of the disease for a longer period of time.

In a German study, participants who received Gemzar, or gemcitabine, lived an average of 13.4 months without their cancers coming back. Participants who did not receive the drug lived without the disease for 6.9 months. While the findings of this study may seem modest, they really are quite encouraging because pancreatic cancer is such a rapid killer, and patients with this disease have the worst chances of recovery.

This study, published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association, brings hope for the mere 20 percent of pancreatic cancer patients who are candidates for surgery. While surgery is the best hope for a cure, the disease still returns in the majority of cases -- so Gemzar is surely worth a shot.

It should be noted that some study authors report financial ties to Gemzar drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co. Researchers, however, report the firm had no influence in design or data interpretation.

The Gal to Gal Foundation believes that women diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer deserve a great amount of support in order to maintain their dignity while receiving treatment throughout the progression of their disease. This organization identifies, partners with, and provides funding to existing organizations dedicated to the emotional and financial well being of Stage IV breast cancer survivors.

Their research shows that although their are many wonderful organizations supporting breast cancer research, prevention and treatment for early stages -- minimal dollars are being dedicated to Stage IV needs.

Check out some of the items that are for sale, its really cool. You can design your own gal at Design-Her Gals and then print it on stationary, notecards, stickers, mugs and many other items. Five percent of every sale goes to the Gal to Gal Foundation!

The new Netscape launched today, offering a voter news-based format that looks sweet. I will like it better once they get all the kinks worked out and the news is a bit more fresh. As a blogger for Life Sciences, I first visited the Health & Fitness channel. The most voted for story is linked to The New Scientist's Organic ketchup helps fight cancer. Two years ago, in January 2005, it was reported that Agricultural Research Service researchers analyzed 13 different ketchup brands for lycopene content -- lycopene is a very well-known cancer prevention nutrient -- and found the organic brands of ketchup had more lycopene. One brand of organic ketchup had about five times as much lycopene per weight as a tomato. The darker the ketchup the better.

Jay Garcia made a valid point when he commented, "Organic ketchup in a plastic bottle sorta defeats the purpose unless of course you're putting it on an organic hamburger." I'd have to agree with Garcia. Maybe the ketchup companies have that figured out by now and are offering organic ketchup in a type of container that isn't linked to increased cancer risks. Otherwise, does sort of defeat the purpose.

I will be a cancer survivor for the rest of my life. I don't think my modeling career will have that kind of longevity, though. I gave it a try -- I am not sure how I was convinced to participate as a model in a fashion show when my personality is so not conducive to strutting on a runway -- and I think I will retire after my short stint in the spotlight. The spotlight was my biggest problem really. When I walked out on stage -- two times -- I was blinded by bright lights shining in my eyes and was somewhat paralyzed by the total darkness I saw in the audience of about 700 people who came to watch me and 84 other cancer survivors this past March in the Cure by Design fashion show, sponsored by my local American Cancer Society office. I heard clapping and shouting and cheering but could not see anything in front of me. I had no sense of where my family members sat in the crowd and felt disoriented and confused. It didn't help that I had to follow arrows that were taped on the stage -- reminders of the path I had to travel on stage -- and had to wave and smile and look relaxed. Relaxed I was not -- and I am sure it was obvious to those whose faces I never could see.

I am not the model pictured above -- the model who looks poised and polished and comfortable -- but I was a model who, despite the anxiety of it all, was fully moved and touched and amazed by this event that raised more than $175,000 for the American Cancer Society of Alachua County.

Models ranged in age from 18 months to 80 years. Men, women, and children -- all survivors of cancer -- joined together in friendship and survivorship. We mingled in our dressing rooms, were treated to professional hair and make-up services, enjoyed food and refreshments, and were honored by a banquet after the show. It was quite an experience -- and it is so thrilling to know that through ticket sales and donations and an auction afterwards that so much money was raised for future efforts in the fight against cancer.

I am not sure if I will resume my role as model in next year's show -- I may be more of a behind-the-scenes person -- but I do know that Cure by Design is an event that enlightened me and inspired me and reminded me that I am surely not alone.