In March 2020, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but I was fortunate enough to make it through both chemo and the Whipple surgery successfully. Much of that success had to do with brilliant doctors that treated me, but also on the fact that my cancer was discovered in its early stages. I have been cancer free since July 2020.
After the completion of my treatment, my surgeon, Diane Simeone, told me about the PRECEDE Consortium and its fundraising arm, TrovaNow, and how these organizations were dedicated to finding a test for early detection of this insidious disease. The five year survival rate for pancreatic cancer was only 10%, and the goal was to increase the survival rate to 50% within the next ten years. I decided to get involved, and my firm, Pryor Cashman, graciously agreed that we would provide legal services to PRECEDE and TrovaNow on a pro bono basis. When that decision was first made, many of my partners and colleagues pitched in, but the person who stepped up the most was my longtime friend and law partner, Jeffrey Johnson.
When Jeff first got involved with PRECEDE and TrovaNow, there were many contractual and IP issues that needed attention. We also needed to complete deals with companies that needed access to PRECEDE patient samples so that they could test their own early detection tests. Jeff got involved early and often in all of this work, graciously devoting his time and attention to this very worthy cause. In the process, he became a crucial member of the TrovaNow Board of Directors.
Then, in what can only be described as an incredibly unfortunate coincidence, as he was devoting more and more time to the PRECEDE/TrovaNow cause, Jeff was also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was relatively early, but not as early in the process as mine, so his chemo treatment and his Whipple were more complicated.
And despite having to deal with his own medical issues, Jeff continued to devote a significant amount of his time to all of the legal issues that still needed resolution, including helping to strengthen the bridge between the doctors that led the Consortium and the volunteers who gave their time to TrovaNow. Everyone loved working with Jeff, not only because he was smart, insightful and creative, but also because he was always upbeat and positive, just an absolute pleasure to be with.
A few months ago, Jeff’s health took a turn for the worse and he needed to undergo more chemo treatments and a number of sessions of radiation. Despite
this, Jeff never stopped helping other people, devoting whatever time and energy he could to help the cause. Unfortunately, in June 2024, Jeff experienced some additional and serious health setbacks. On July 7, 2024, he succumbed to this disease and died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was only 65.
As we ramp up our fundraising effort for PRECEDE and TrovaNow in the weeks and months ahead, we wish to pay tribute to our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Jeffrey Johnson. And as we mourn his passing, we think about the importance of early testing and how it could have made a difference in his life.
Please give as much as you can to support our organization. Please do it in Jeff’s honor or in honor of any other friend or loved one who faces this horrible disease.
Thank you.
Jamie M. Brickell
President, TrovaNow
