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Bill West Shares His Story at the 20th Annual Pancreatic Cancer Symposium

“Because of Jefferson, I’ve been able to celebrate anniversaries, milestones, and everyday moments with my family. Every day is truly a gift.” – Bill West

This image shows Bill West (second from left) with a small group of pancreatic cancer survivors at the annual PanCan Symposium.

The 20th Annual Pancreatic Cancer and Related Diseases Patient Symposium brought together patients, families, clinicians, and researchers for a day of learning, connection, and hope. The event celebrated two decades of progress in pancreatic cancer care, showcasing breakthroughs that have improved survival rates and strengthened a community united by resilience.

Among the speakers was longtime Jefferson patient and survivor Bill West, who shared his story of perseverance and gratitude. Nearly 20 years ago, his life was forever changed after losing his twin brother, Joe, to small bowel lymphoma. Though he seemed healthy, West couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. His persistence led to testing that revealed a pancreatic tumor and an early diagnosis that saved his life.

Watch Bill West's full story shared at the 20th Annual Pancreatic Cancer and Related Diseases Patient Symposium.

In 2005, pancreatic cancer survival rates were about 5 percent. The diagnosis was devastating, but he had the support of his wife, Gerry, and the expert care of Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery Dr. Charles J. Yeo and Jefferson’s pancreatic cancer team. West, who was one of Yeo's first patients at Jefferson 20 years ago, found strength in compassion and precision medicine. He recalls how Yeo calmly drew a diagram of the pancreas on the back of a business card to explain the surgery, a gesture that gave him both understanding and comfort.

Now, two decades later, West is not only a survivor, but an advocate for others facing the same journey. He returns each year to the symposium to connect with fellow survivors and to witness the growing community of patients thriving after diagnosis. Seeing the number of survivor ribbons increase each year, he says, is a reminder of how far the field has come and how far it can still go.

This image shows a group of patient speakers with Dr. Charles J. Yeo at the 2025 PanCan Symposium.

This year’s milestone event captured that spirit. Patients and their families were informed and inspired by presentations by Jefferson physicians and scientists and greeted by volunteers who dedicated their Saturday morning to showcasing Jefferson's best and brightest in pancreatic cancer care.

The symposium reflected Jefferson’s mission to improve lives through advancing research, delivering compassionate care, and fostering hope for every patient and family.

 “Because of Jefferson, I’ve been able to celebrate anniversaries, milestones, and everyday moments with my family,” West shared. “Every day is truly a gift.”

At Jefferson, stories like West’s embody the progress made and the promise ahead in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

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