American novelist Pat Conroy is battling pancreatic cancer. The writer posted a message to his fans on his Facebook page, confirming that he has cancer and saying he intends “to fight it hard”. He goes on to say how grateful he is to the people in his life, promising his readers that he will ‘deliver’ the novel he owes them.
Hey out there, I celebrated my 70th birthday in October and realized that I’ve spent my whole writing life trying to find out who I am and I don’t believe I’ve even come close. It was in Beaufort in sight of a river’s sinuous turn, and the movements of its dolphin-proud tides that I began to discover myself and where my life began at fifteen. I have recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. With the help of the wonderful people at M.D. Anderson I intend to fight it hard. I am grateful to all my beloved readers, my friends and my family for their prayers. I owe you a novel and I intend to deliver it. Much love, Pat Conroy
The New York Post reported that the author gave up alcohol in his mid-60’s after he was hospitalised. He was suffering from high blood pressure, had a failing liver and was struggling with diabetes, amongst other illnesses at the time.
Conroy has written a range of notable books including The Water Is Wide, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline and The Prince of Tides, two of which were also made into Oscar nominated films. USA Today reports that Conroy’s publisher Doublebay also announced the news of his cancer saying the author will fight the “challenging illness with the same spirit of courage that has forged his writing career”.
Author Pat Conroy has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pat is currently undergoing treatment at M.D. Anderson (a cancer center affiliated with the University of Texas), where he is receiving excellent care and support from his doctors. The Conroy family asks for privacy at this time as Pat fights this challenging illness with the same spirit of courage that has forged his writing career. Pat and his family are enormously grateful to all of his readers for their prayers and good wishes.
