Jo appeared on the 2016 Radio-Telethon. Jo was diagnosed in March 2015 with pancreatic cancer that metastasized to her liver and lymph nodes. She was having stomach pains for a couple of months, and when the pain got severe, she went to the doctor and then to the emergency room where they discovered a tumor in her pancreas. Jo came to Dana-Farber after discovering its superior reputation for treating pancreatic cancer – plus, her daughter lives in the Boston area and could help with treatment. Jo had surgery and then radiation and is now receiving chemotherapy. She flies to Boston from Michigan every other week for treatment for two days at a time. Jo is retired from Detroit Public Television.  Currently, she's deputy clerk of Eagle Harbor Township, Michigan, and involved in the election process for that district. She is an active volunteer including vice-chair of a committee to build a new fire and emergency services facility as well as assist in the organization of an annual dogsled race!  Jo's hobbies include softball, photography and skiing. She is married to her husband Terry and has one daughter.

Dr. Meyerhardt can speak to advances in Gastrointestinal cancers (GI), specifically pancreatic cancer, which is very difficult to treat.  Most patients are diagnosed with late stage disease. Besides treating patients, Dr. Meyerhardt is also an active researcher in Diet and Lifestyle Studies in Patients with Colorectal Cancer. Dr. Meyerhardt studies have included research showing Colon cancer patients who eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, poultry and fish can significantly lower the risk of their cancer returning.