1. Long time supporter of PanCAN, our good friend Cami Brown has written to us about their fundraising event happening this weekend. Here is Cami's message:
"Happy Thursday,
The Brown family is moving along with making progress in raising funds and awareness regarding pancreatic cancer. We currently have raised $6,285.00. The vision of progress begins with all of us!
Lisa Niemi Swayze is the Chief Embassador of Hope at PANCAN, she summarized her thoughts in February 2011: "So many people need the hope you are providing for them. For too long, pancreatic cancer hasn't gotten the attention it needs." Thank you for your time and for your support!
Love from all of Sue's Urchins
Her love and legacy lives on in each of us!"
Good luck to everyone tomorrow Cami! You can read more about this at their PanCAN page here.
2. Also, in our news on this page dated 5th March, we posted a fundraising appeal for the Lustgarten Foundation by musician Dave "Teacherman" Goldman. Just to let you know that if you want to donate to a good cause and hear some great music at the same time, you only have until the end of April to order his CD. As before, you can find his music at:
Dave “Teacherman” Goldman has been in touch with us about a fundraising promotion he has organised for the month of April 2013. During the month of April, all proceeds from the sale of his first album will go to the Lustgarten Foundation and to fund research into Pancreatic Cancer. Please visit the Lustgarten Foundation "Gifts that give back" page for more information. Here is their information about the promotion:
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"Dave “Teacherman” Goldman is a Long Island teacher and musician whose father, grandfather, and co-worker passed away due to pancreatic cancer. In an attempt to raise funds and awareness, Teacherman has agreed to donate proceeds from his first album, “If I Knew Then” to the Lustgarten Foundation. All proceeds generated during the month of April, 2013 will go directly towards pancreatic cancer research. The album can be purchased digitally via iTunes or Amazon.com. Hard copies of CD’s are also available through Amazon.
Dave emphasises that ONLY those purchases of his album made during April will qualify for the fundraising promotion towards Lustgarten Foundation.
Thank you for any support you can give.
In friendship,
Margaret.
Thursday 27th December 2012: Hello everyone,
As you may know, Patrick attended Waltrip High School in Houston, Texas (see our biography page) and we have been contacted by a Mom of one of the members of the school band asking for support in their bid to attend the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Festival in January next year. Here is her message:
“On January 18, 2013, Houston’s own award winning and talented S.P. Waltrip High School Band is one of two Texas schools that have been invited to participate in the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Festival in Washington, D.C. In order to accept the invitation to this honorable event, the Waltrip High School Ram Band has taken up the challenge of raising funds. Please help the Waltrip Ram Band students fulfill a once in a lifetime opportunity! www.waltripramband.org”
If you are able to support the band's fundraising efforts, please go to their website linked above for more information.
In friendship, Margaret.
Saturday 22nd December 2012: Hello everyone,
Breaking news from PanCAN: Congress has passed the 'Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act', formerly known as the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act. For more on this wonderful news, please visit PanCAN's website.
This is great news and a testament to the tireless work of PanCAN and all the hard working advocates and supporters who have fought so long and hard to make this happen.
In friendship, Margaret.
Friday 14th September 2012: Hello everyone,
Today is the third anniversary of Patrick's passing from pancreatic cancer and we want to remind you to visit the PanCAN website to learn how you can help in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Every donation helps, whether it's financial, or giving some of your time to call your Member of Congress to tell them how important this is to you, or getting involved in the many fundraising events that happen all over the United States.
Lisa recently appeared with Julie Fleshman, the President and CEO of PanCAN, on Fox News to speak about how the incidence rate and death rate of pancreatic cancer have increased in recent years. You can watch the video of the interview here and read the report here.
Our love and thoughts go to Lisa and all of Patrick's family on this difficult day. Patrick was a wonderful man and he is still very much missed.
In friendship,
Margaret.
Wednesday 22nd August 2012: Hello everyone,
21st August 2012 (yesterday) marked the 25th Anniversary of the film "Dirty Dancing" and many reports have appeared online. They include an interview with Jennifer Grey on the Hollywood Reporter website here and an interesting Huffington Post article here.
In friendship,
Margaret.
Thursday 16th August 2012: Hello everyone,
Please visit the PanCAN website here to learn about their "At home challenge 2012".
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Swayze Buddy Sue Tabashnik has alerted us that her ebook is available free for one day only on 18th August 2012 to honour Patrick. Sue wrote:
"To honor Patrick on August 18th for what would have been his 60th birthday, my Amazon ebook of The Fans' Love Story: How The Movie 'DIRTY DANCING' Captured The Hearts Of Millions! will be free for that one special day only. The ebook is available on US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy Amazon sites.
God bless you Patrick! Your amazing spirit and legacy of work continues to inspire and influence millions of people all over the world. You are in my heart forever!"
Thank you Sue.
~~~~~
Please also read our own tribute to honour Patrick in our news item from Tuesday 14th August 2012 on this page and also on our front page of this website here.
In friendship,
Margaret.
Tuesday 14th August 2012: Hello everyone,
18th August 2012 would have been Patrick's 60th birthday. To commemorate this special day, please hug someone close to you, and to those you love, tell them you do, while they are still with you.
Our love and thoughts go to Lisa and all of the family. We want to quote Patrick's own words from he and Lisa's book "The Time of My Life".
"When those you love die, the best you can do is honor their spirit for as long as you live. You make a commitment that you're going to take whatever lesson that person or animal was trying to teach you, and you make it true in your own life. Their having been in your life changed you in some beneficial way, and making that commitment is the only way you can ease the pain of their absence. But more than that, it's a positive way to keep their spirit alive in the world, by keeping it alive in yourself."
We miss you Patrick and we will remember your kind heart, your laughter and all the happiness and joy you brought to your fans world wide.
Margaret.
Saturday 4th August 2012: Hello everyone,
A ballet tribute to Patrick will take place during the Complexions Contemporary Ballet performance at "Celebrate Brooklyn!" on 9th August. You can read more about the performance here.
A further report on the event can be found in the Brooklyn Paper here.
In friendship, Margaret
Tuesday 31st July 2012: Hello everyone,
Wonderful news of a Deluxe Anniversary Edition of the Dirty Dancing soundtrack which will be available "everywhere" on 25th September. RCA/Legacy Recordings which is a division of Sony Music Entertainment have announced in a press release:
"Responding to the feedback from loyal fans around the world, Legacy Recordings presents DIRTY DANCING: THE DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION, which presents the original 12-song album of 1987, along with new bonus features. This special commemorative project reflects Legacy's direct survey of a portion of the millions of Dirty Dancing fans on Facebook who responded and wished to maintain the experience of the original release by showcasing the original running order of the album as it was first released, without bonus tracks."
This summer will see the third annual Dirty Dancing Festival at Lake Lure on 17th and 18th August 2012. For more information, please visit their Dirty Dancing Festival website.
~
Also, the city of Pearisburg will be presenting its first annual “Dirty Dancing Festival” on 11th August 2012 in the city, which is near to the site of "Kellerman's" from the movie, or Mountain Lake Hotel in real life. To buy tickets, please visit here and a portion of the proceeds will be donated by the Festival to the American Cancer Society in Patrick's name. For more information about the Festival, please visit here, here or here.
~~~~~
News has been released about the 2012 Stand Up to Cancer Telethon in the United States. It will take place on Friday 7th September 2012 across major TV networks. For more information, please visit the Stand Up to Cancer website here. You can also read their press release here.
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Swayze Buddy Sue from Michigan is still looking for fan stories to include in her second book to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original movie, Dirty Dancing. Please see our news item on this page from Friday 11th May 2012 with a message from Sue giving details of how you can contribute through her book to the celebration of this fabulous movie.
If you live in the United States, you will be pleased to know there is a 25th Anniversary tour of the movie "Dirty Dancing" in six main cities. Visit here and here for more information and read about Jennifer Grey's involvement with the project.
In friendship, Margaret.
Friday 11th May 2012: Hello Everyone,
Please lend your support to the PanCAN Advocacy Day which takes place on 25th and 26th June 2012. You can learn more by visiting the PanCAN page here. Please also read Lisa's letter here.
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The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Kenny Ortega's remake of Dirty Dancing is headed for the Cannes Film Festival which takes place from 16th to 27th May 2012. Lionsgate International will be looking for overseas buyers for the film scheduled for release in the United States next July. You can read the full report from the Hollywood Reporter here.
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Swayze Buddy Sue from Michigan has written to tell us about her new venture to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original movie, Dirty Dancing. Here's Sue:
"To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the movie, Dirty Dancing, I am writing a second book. The book will be Part Two of: The FANS' LOVE STORY: How The Movie 'DIRTY DANCING' Captured The Hearts Of Millions!
If you would like to participate, please e-mail me at stabashnik@msn.com your thoughts/feelings about Dirty Dancing; any or all of these subjects may be included. What Dirty Dancing means to you, Why is it so popular after 25 years? What do you like about Dirty Dancing, How has Dirty Dancing impacted your life? Anything related to Dirty Dancing. Please include if possible your age and where you live ie state, country etc.
If your contribution is accepted (and I will try the best I can to accept all submissions), it will be subject to editing. I will also need a release signed that you give permission to have your submission published and also used for any promotional activities.
The book may be in ebook form only and eventually maybe in print form as well. Like my original book, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book wil be donated to the Patrick Swayze Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at Stanford Cancer Institute.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Sue Tabashnik www.likedirtydancing.com"
~~~~~
In friendship,
Margaret.
Wednesday 25th April 2012: Hello everyone,
"Ghost the Musical" had its Broadway opening night last evening in New York. Lisa attended the show and you can watch an Associated Press video here. The UK Daily Mail newspaper has a full report and interview with Lisa here.
In friendship, Margaret.
Thursday 16th February 2012: Hello everyone,
Gerry from the Rooftop Film Club has asked us to let you know there is special screening of Dirty Dancing this Friday at the Round Chapel, Hackney in London. You can find out more on their website by clicking here. Have a great evening!
In friendship, Margaret.
Tuesday 3rd January 2012: Hello everyone,
A very Happy New Year to you all!
Lisa's new book "Worth Fighting For" is published today. Congratulations Lisa! To purchase Lisa's book, you can either visit her website for more information by clicking here, or go to any of these suppliers to order online:
Just to wish you all a Happy Holiday Season as well as a peaceful and happy New Year 2012. Thank you for your continued support.
In friendship, Margaret.
Saturday 17th December 2011: Hello everyone,
Lisa was in touch with us earlier in November about her own Official Website which was under construction. She has now asked us to let you all know it's ready for you to visit her at:
Please lend your support to this terrific lady and read all about her new book due out on 3rd January 2012. Lisa's brand new Facebook page is now also up and running at:
Thank you Lisa and best wishes for your Official Website and for your continued campaign to raise awareness in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
~~~~~
You can read an interview with Lisa on the Cancer Connect news website here.
~~~~~
Also, we've heard from our Swayze Buddy Sue from Michigan about a special Holiday sale on her book until 1st January 2012:
November 18, 2011 - January 1, 2012
THE FANS' LOVE STORY: How The Movie 'DIRTY DANCING' Captured The Hearts Of Millions!
Autographed Paperback--marked down from $19.95--to $11.95
Amazon kindle e-book $2.99--US, UK, Germany, France
*A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will continue to be donated to the Patrick Swayze Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at Stanford Cancer Institute.
Lisa will lead a vigil today in Houston, Texas to bring attention to pancreatic cancer. Please visit Houston News' website by clicking here for more information.
~~~~~
Further to our news item on this page dated 14th September, Lisa was one of the keynote speakers at the Texas Conference for Women held last week in Houston. Please click here for a report on the Conference.
Also, Deborah Duncan on the Great Day show on KHOU.com Houston Texas channel featured a fabulous archive interview with Patrick and Lisa on her show and an interview with Lisa last week and you can view the segments here and here. Thank you to Swayze Buddy Sue from Michigan for these alerts.
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Thank you to Swayze Buddy Crystal from Washington State, USA who sent us this great interview with Lisa from the Houston Chronicle where she speaks about her life with Patrick and his illness.
In friendship, Margaret.
Sunday 30th October 2011: Hello everyone,
I've been in touch with Lisa about the Pabst Blue Ribbon advert that Patrick made in 1979 and she agrees it proves what we have known all along - Patrick could kick it on the dance floor! You can view it here or by clicking on the embedded version below.
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Further to our news item on this page from 18th October, Lisa has kindly sent this picture from her own personal collection for you to enjoy here on our site. (Please click on thumbnail to see a larger image and the image is copyright Lisa Niemi Swayze) It was taken during the unveiling of Patrick's wax figure at Madame Tussaud's in Los Angeles on 18th October 2011.
Thank you Lisa!
In friendship, Margaret.
Thursday 20th October 2011: Hello everyone,
Lisa has been invited to be the keynote speaker for the SCWD (The Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders) Charity Dinner. The 6th International Cachexia Conference will be held in Milan in Italy from 8th - 10th December 2011. Please click here to read their official Press Release.
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Jennifer Grey, Patrick's co-star in "Dirty Dancing", will grace our TV screens in the UK in November. She will be one of the judges on BBC1's "Strictly Come Dancing" on 5th and 6th November, standing in for judge Len Goodman who will miss the show for one week. Please click here to read more on the BBC1 Strictly Come Dancing home page.
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Our friend Don Moser has been in touch to let us know he has uploaded to You Tube his film of the personal interview Patrick and Lisa held during their visit to their hometown of Houston in 2003 to unveil their own film "One Last Dance". Thank you so much Don. Please click here to see Don's film on his You Tube Channel.
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Thank you to Swayze Buddies Ingrid from Florida, Sue from Michigan and Crystal from Washington State all USA for sending us the link to Patrick's wax figure unveiling on the 18th of this month. I agree with Lisa, they got the eyes just right. Click here to see a video of the unveiling and Lisa speaking about the event.
Ingrid said, "Wanted to make sure you saw this. Lisa looks great! And Patrick looks like he's going to start dancing any minute! Enjoy--Ingrid"
Thanks Ingrid, Sue and Crystal!
~~~~~
Swayze Buddy Sue from Michigan, USA has sent us another special offer on her book, from which a portion of the proceeds go to the Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund at Stanford in California.
"SPECIAL SALE October 19-30th
"THE FANS' LOVE STORY: How The Movie 'DIRTY DANCING' Captured The Hearts Of Millions!
Paperback-autographed - ordered directly from me via Pay Pal: stabashnik@msn.com
Sale price $11.95 plus shipping & handling. US shipping & handling: $3.95. Total: $15.90. Compare this to Amazon/retail price of $19.95 (without shipping & without autograph).
Please email me for S&H outside of US.
E-book on Amazon is now available for $3.99 on Amazon US, UK, Germany, and France.
*A portion of the proceeds from all book sales continues to be donated to the Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund
at Stanford Cancer Institute.
Thanks to everyone for support of the book!"
Thank you Sue for continuing to support the Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund at Stanford.
In friendship,
Margaret.
Tuesday 18th October 2011: Hello everyone,
Please click here to read a report of Lisa attending the unveiling of Patrick's wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood today. They have captured one of Patrick's iconic poses from one of the most famous scenes from "Dirty Dancing" - balancing on the log!
In friendship,
Margaret.
Wednesday 28th September 2011: Hello everyone,
Swayze Buddy Sue from Michigan, USA has written to us with this link to PanCAN's Purple Light campaign. Please visit the PanCAN website to learn more about it and lend your support if you can. Thank you Sue.
~~~~~
Swayze Buddy Crystal from Washington State, USA has alerted us to this review of the Stage Musical version of "Ghost" which is currently enjoying sell out houses at London's Piccadilly Theatre. Thanks Crystal.
In friendship, Margaret.
Friday 16th September: Hello everyone,
Thank you to Jo Beyersdorfer who has been in touch with us about a special weekend happening at Lake Lure, where they filmed "the lift" in Dirty Dancing. The 2nd Annual Dirty Dancing Festival will be held this weekend and you can learn more about it on their website at: http://www.dirtydancingfestival.com/index.html Hope it all goes with a swing Jo!
~~~~~
Swayze Buddy Julia from Tennessee and Andrew Yeung from Social Game Universe have been in touch with us about a new Dirty Dancing game based on Facebook. Click here to sign up or visit the Social Game Universe website to learn more about it.
In friendship, Margaret.
Wednesday 14th September 2011: Hello everyone,
On this, the second anniversary of Patrick's passing, please remember to visit the PanCAN website for information on how you can help to continue Patrick and Lisa's fight against Pancreatic Cancer. Every cent, every little bit of help that you can offer matters.
Please also read Lisa's message from September 2009 on our Helping in the Fight page, when Lisa sent us information about the Patrick Swayze Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund that was set up at the Stanford Cancer Center in 2009 and how you can donate to Patrick's Fund through the Stanford website.
We send our love to Lisa and all of Patrick's family, our thoughts are with you. Please remember all the happy times, the fun times and the times he made you smile. Patrick is still very much missed.
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As we reported on our General news page, Lisa is one of the speakers at the Texas Conference for Women to be held on 17th November this year at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. Please visit their website for more information.
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We have archived the Book of Condolence and you can now view the pages (without private messages) here. We have forwarded a copy, including all the private messages, to Lisa for her to keep. You can still leave a message on our usual guestbook, now renamed Tributes.
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One of our Swayze Buddies, Stéphane from France has sent us this video added below in homage to Patrick. Thank you Stéphane.
