WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsSurviving Pancreatic Cancer

HARTLAND (WKOW)-- 42,000 people will be diagnosed and 35,000 will die this year from pancreatic cancer.

Actor Patrick Swayze lost his fight with the disease in September. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month.

While the numbers are sobering, with early detection, there is hope. Bob Harris is living proof. It makes him 'Someone You Should Know.'

Bob Harris loves to build computers. And travel with his wife Arnie. They recently got back from their 12th trip in just two years. Bob, 78, and Arnie, 77, just celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

Bob is also celebrating his 41st year as a pancreatic cancer survivor.

Bob was diagnosed in May of 1968 at age 37. According to the statistics, he shouldn't have made it to his 42nd birthday.

Just 5 percent reach the five-year survival mark. Bob is the longest known survivor in Wisconsin.

"They said if I had the Whipple procedure it would probably give me three to five more years of life," said Bob. "I've been very fortunate, 41 years later, I'm still here."

The pancreas makes insulin and juices that help digest food. Bob had half his pancreas removed. He is alive today because they caught the cancer before it spread.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest cancer in the U.S. It is rarely diagnosed early because signs of the cancer can often go unnoticed or are confused with other diseases.

Bob's cancer was found when he went in to have his gallbladder removed.

"That's when they opened me up, they checked other organs and found a tumor on the pancreas," said Bob.

And 41 years later, Bob looks forward to being a snowbird with his wife this winter and continue to travel for years to come.

He also serves as a sign of hope for all those battling pancreatic cancer.

"I think having a positive attitude goes a long way in surviving," said Bob.

To learn more about pancreatic cancer or how you can donate visit: http://www.pancan.org/