Local pancreatic cancer survivor continues fight on hit television show “American Ninja Warrior”

By defying odds, Joe Heiden aims to “give others impacted by cancer hope”

By Amanda Gibbs June 09, 2017 Portland, Ore.

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Gina Vaccaro, M.D., a clinician in the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute who specializes in treating patients with pancreatic tumors (second from left) is photographed with her patient, Joe Heiden, (far right). (Photo courtesy Joe Heiden)

American Ninja Warrior competitor

Kevin Billingsley, M.D., division chief of surgical oncology at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, is is filmed by NBC television crews at OHSU, March 20, 2017. (Amanda Gibbs/OHSU)

American Ninja Warrior competitor

Darla Mead, R.N. examines Joe Heiden (center) in the oncology clinic as Heiden is is filmed by NBC television crews at OHSU, March 20, 2017. (Amanda Gibbs/OHSU)