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Nearly four years after Potomac resident Anne Shimabukuro was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she has beaten the odds against the disease that is known to kill 76 percent of people it affects within a year. And in anticipation of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month coming up in November, Shimabukuro is speaking up about the disease in hopes of raising awareness and finding a cure.

Shimabukuro first saw a doctor when she started experiencing sharp stomach pains in 2005. When she received the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, she said she was shocked. "We didn't have a history of this in my family," Shimabukuro said. "I was 37 years old at the time, and the profile of a person who has this disease is an older male who is a smoker or a drinker — I'm none of those things."

Luckily, unlike many people who are diagnosed with the disease, Shimabukuro was diagnosed early before the cancer spread to other parts of her body. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, all the while continuing to work as a vice president at Marriott International Inc.

Now, after four years without seeing the cancer return, she is close to being "home free." When she hits the five-year milestone, she will no longer be a cancer patient.

According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in the country. Of the 42,460 people expected to be diagnosed with the cancer this year, 35,240 will die from it, according to the group.

As one of the few survivors of the deadly disease, Shimabukuro says it's her role to advocate for more awareness and funding to be allocated for research.

"A lot of other diseases seem to get so much more attention and funding, and it's great that they have a lot of survivors who can march and speak on each others' behalf," Shimabukuro said. "But for pancreatic cancer, there's just a handful of us."

The death of actor Patrick Swayze from pancreatic cancer in September raised some awareness about the disease, but more awareness and research is needed, Shimabukuro said.

"I'm healthy now — knock on wood — and can speak about it, so I feel like I should," Shimabukuro said.

To learn more about pancreatic cancer, visit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Web site at www.pancan.org.

Local teen hopes to compete on the national stage

Congratulations to Potomac resident Kamie Crawford, 17, who will be competing for the title of Miss Maryland Teen USA 2010 this weekend at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in North Bethesda. Crawford, a Winston Churchill High School student, is involved with Varsity cheerleading, community service and graphic design, and she one day hopes to become a successful dermatologist and develop a skin care and cosmetic line. The winner of the Miss Maryland Teen USA pageant will go on to represent Maryland in the 2010 Miss Teen USA pageant, a national competition.

Delve into local lore

Cabin John resident Judith Welles is set to discuss her book, "Cabin John: Legends and Life of an Uncommon Place," from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 7, at the Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive in Potomac Village. The book delves into the history of Cabin John, and reveals legends and lore along the way — including speculation as to how the small riverside community got its name.

Welles, a writer and freelance journalist, undertook the two-year process of researching, collecting photographs and conducting interviews after resident Andrew Rice raised the possibility of a book in 2006 in a historical column he writes for the Village News, a Cabin John newsletter. Welles has also volunteered through the Potomac Conservancy as director of Lockhouse 8, which spurred her interest in local history.

The Cabin John Citizens Association and a grant from the Montgomery County Historic Preservation helped to make publication of the book possible. For more information about the book, visit the Cabin John Citizens Association Web site at www.cabinjohn.org.

Scouting for Food

This November, don't be surprised if a Cub Scout or Boy Scout in uniform knocks on your door. During the week after Nov. 7, scouts will participate in their yearly "Scouting for Food" project. Scouts will be making the rounds and asking residents for donations of non-perishable food to benefit the county's needy.

Beginning on Nov. 7, scouts will deliver "Scouting for Food" bags throughout their neighborhoods. On Nov. 14, the scouts will return to collect the bags that residents can fill with food donations. Much of the food collected will be delivered to the Manna Food Center in Rockville, a nonprofit group that fights hunger in the community. Nearly 40 percent of those who will benefit from the donations are children.

Scouts have taken on similar endeavors in past years and have collected thousands of pounds of food. Others scouting districts in the National Capital Area are also taking on the project.

A local collection point for food donations is located at the Bolger Center, 9600 Newbridge Drive in Potomac. Residents can drop food there from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kudos

Congratulations to Ronald Draxler, a Potomac resident who was recently honored with a gold medal award through the Department of Commerce.

The gold medal is the highest honorary award granted through the Secretary of Commerce, and recognizes those who have made notable contributions for the department. Draxler was honored for being the driving force behind the development of the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory system, which helps protect the public from hazards like toxic chemicals, wildfire smoke, and volcanic ash.

Critters help kick cancer

Critters for the Cure, a nonprofit working to raise awareness of breast cancer, held the organization's first Women's Round Robin Tennis Tournament earlier this month in the Kentlands.

The goal was to celebrate national Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to help raise money for the organization's patient treatment fund for women battling cancer, who are uninsured or underinsured, said Clancy Kress of Critters for the Cure. Proceeds help provide assistance such as wigs, prosthetics, medical bills, transportation, rent, veterinarian bills, even dog walkers.

CFTC raised more than $4,000 and 60 women registered to play. Sports Authority, Tennis Warehouse, Sam's Club and Wilson Sporting Goods provided tennis racquets, jackets, tennis bags, H2O bottled water, Power Bars and tennis balls. The organization's 2010 "Until We Lick Breast Cancer" Calendar and Critters Speak Magazine was also unveiled. Calendars are available online at the organization's Web site.

To learn more about the organization, visit www.crittersforthecure.org.

United Way says thanks

The Montgomery County United Way Regional Council is hosting its annual "Thank you, Montgomery County..." appreciation and recruiting event from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Strathmore Mansion, 1701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda 20852-3324.

Discover new ways to help your community. The United Way of the National Capital Area "mobilizes community resources to create lasting, positive differences in our community and improve the lives of Greater Washington residents," according to the nonprofit's Web site, www.unitedwaynca.org.

Prime goals are: expanding access to affordable housing and improving child wellness through a focus on healthy eating. For more information, call 301-731-8320.

This column is for you. Send press releases, news tips and other information to Erin Donaghue by phone to 301-280-3007, by e-mail edonaghue@ gazette.net, by fax to 301-670-7183 or by mail to 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.