Brewers' former medical director continues fight against pancreatic cancer

"A mission that I've brought on because I've had pancreatic cancer.  I'm a 7-year pancreatic cancer survivor," Roger Caplinger says.  

Roger Caplinger is a living testament to the advances in pancreatic cancer research.

"You know when I had it back in '18 it was nine percent (survival rate)," Caplilnger says.  "Now it's 13.  That's not good enough.  Right?  And so, the survival rate, a five-year survival rate here at the Medical College of Wisconsin is 30%.  So, almost three times the national average.  And that's what people don't know."

Now on Saturday, August 16, with the Brewers out of town, there will be the 'Dinner on the Diamond' event to support the Seena Magowitz Foundation and to support pancreatic cancer awareness.

"I want people to know that we're not done fighting with this disease," Caplinger says.  "We want this to be a treatable cancer.  And so, you know we wanna get to that point."

As the former Vice President of Medical Operations for the Brewers Caplinger has full support from the team.

"My dear friend Ueck?  He didn't have pancreatic cancer," Caplinger says.  "We've developed the Bob Uecker chair for pancreatic cancer research.  Dr. Bill Hall at the Medical College research oncologist is a recipient of that.  Mr. Selig.  Mr. Attanasio.  Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun all donated to this chair to make this worthwhile to this fruition."

And if you think the fight is over?  Just look at Roger's wrists.

"Is it really powerful to have something every day to remind you of what you're in for," Caplinger says.  "And so, you know, we're gonna be battle ready."