Siani’s Story: “You Can’t Get Rid of Me That Easy”

When 39-year-old Siani Mannino went for a routine physical last summer, pancreatic cancer was the furthest thing from her mind. Just two months earlier, she had gotten married. Life felt full of possibility. She had no symptoms, no warning signs, nothing that suggested anything was wrong.

Then came the phone call that changed everything.

After routine bloodwork revealed abnormal liver numbers, Siani’s doctor ordered additional testing. An ultrasound identified masses on her liver, and a CT scan confirmed what no one expected: stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver. “My whole world flipped upside down,” she shared.

For many patients, pancreatic cancer feels isolating, overwhelming and impossibly uncertain, especially for younger adults navigating a diagnosis often associated with older populations. But through every stage of treatment, Siani has refused to let fear define her. “The only thing I can control through this is my attitude,” she explained. “So I try to stay as positive as I can, no matter what.”

FINDING STRENGTH IN CONFIDENCE

Since her diagnosis, Siani has undergone chemotherapy, participated in a clinical trial and continues to explore additional treatment options with her care team at Northwell Health, led by Daniel King, MD, PhD.

From the beginning, she said, Dr. King and his team gave her something essential: confidence. “He called me and said, ‘I think you’re a great candidate for this trial,’” Siani recalled. “He believed in it so strongly that I believed in it too.” The clinical trial alternated between two standard chemotherapy regimens over six months. The treatment kept her disease stable and prevented additional spread. “A success in their eyes, and in my eyes,” she said.

Now, Siani continues treatment on a modified chemotherapy schedule while prioritizing quality of life and continuing to live it fully. “Life doesn’t stop, we still do all the things we love,” she shared. That mindset has carried into the moments that matter most: hosting Christmas with family, continuing traditions with her husband and making memories wherever possible.

Shortly after her diagnosis, Siani remembers joking with her husband about the future they still planned to build together. “I told him, ‘You can’t get rid of me that easy,’” she said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

THE POWER OF RESEARCH, AND MORE TIME

As someone who has already benefited from a clinical trial, Siani understands firsthand how critical research is for pancreatic cancer patients. “More options lead to more time, and eventually, if you have more time, it’ll hopefully lead to a cure,” she noted.

For decades, pancreatic cancer research received significantly less funding than many other major cancers. Today, researchers, clinicians and advocates continue to drive progress through clinical trials, emerging therapies and bold scientific investment. Their work is creating new treatment opportunities and new reasons for hope.

Siani believes that progress matters not only for her own future, but for every patient facing this disease. “My hope is that research keeps going, and they keep finding more and more amazing drugs that save more and more lives and give everyone more time.”

A BEACON OF HOPE

Earlier this year, Siani attended the Lustgarten Foundation’s New York City Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research for the first time. What she expected to feel like a fundraising event became something much more personal. “I didn’t realize how emotional it would be,” she shared. “It was comforting to know I’m not alone.”

Surrounded by patients, survivors, caregivers, and families, Siani found strength in the pancreatic cancer community, especially in the survivors wearing white hats. “That’s my goal one day,” she remarked. “I’m going to get one of those hats.”

Inspired by the experience, Siani raised more than $5,000 to support pancreatic cancer research and plans to continue participating in future Lustgarten Foundation events. “I would love to go to every event I can,” she added. “It was a great experience.”

“LEAN ON YOUR PEOPLE”

For others newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, especially younger patients, Siani hopes her story reminds them they do not have to face this disease alone. “I’ve found it to be a super lonely feeling, even if you’re surrounded by loved ones,” she shared. “So, try to reach out to that support system as much as you can and lean on them.”

For caregivers, friends, and family, her message is equally important: keep showing up. “Sometimes it’s hard for someone going through it to reach out but just letting them know you’re there really means a lot.”

Through every appointment, treatment and unknown, Siani continues to move forward with honesty, humor and hope, determined to keep living fully while helping advance the future of pancreatic cancer research. “I will share my story wherever I can,” she said, “to keep the conversation going, to hopefully get more money into funding, and to bring more amazing drugs out there.”