'I feel very fortunate': Former Brewers medical director advocates for pancreatic cancer research

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The former medical director for the Milwaukee Brewers is raising awareness of pancreatic cancer, and he helped facilitate a historic gathering on the field over the weekend.

Roger Caplinger worked with the Milwaukee Brewers for 33 seasons, first as the head athletic trainer, then as the medical director.

In 2017, his life took a turn when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"Like, wow, this is, this is a shocking diagnosis, but then, how do we understand how to figure this out," Caplinger remembered.

He went through treatment at the Medical College of Wisconsin, continuing to work for the Brewers through chemotherapy and surgery.

"We set up an office at my home, and working as I could, and my other medical team members did an unbelievable job picking me up for that whole year," he said.

Caplinger was officially considered cancer-free in November of 2018. That's when he became an advocate for others.

"I feel very fortunate to have a second chance at life, and it's time for me and my family to pay it forward to other people and try to make a difference here," Caplinger explained.

He retired as the medical director in 2022, now spends much of his time with the Seena Magowitz Foundation.

"We help navigate and help inspire and create hope with patients who are going through pancreatic cancer," Caplinger said. "We try to get them to other facilities and facilitate healthcare with the world-renowned experts."

This past Saturday, Aug. 3, the Foundation hosted "Dinner on the Diamond" at American Family Field, welcoming 90 pancreatic cancer survivors - the largest gathering of pancreatic cancer survivors ever.

"We had several physicians come in from all over the country to do a mini symposium, to understand the breakthroughs and the research in the clinical trials," Caplinger said.

The event used a major league stadium to bring awareness and hope for the future.

"When I was diagnosed, it was a 9% survival rate. Now it's up to 13. Here at the Medical College of Wisconsin, we had a 30% survival rate," Caplinger explained. "So, it's not just a death wish anymore. We're getting closer and closer to just treating this as a chronic disease."

Click here to learn more about the Seena Magowitz Foundation.