Melissa Gilbert opens up about the ‘brutal’ disease that took her loved ones – Remember?

Melissa Gilbert was given up for adoption immediately after birth, and 6 years later her adoptive parents separated and she was exposed to the trauma of divorce. Fortunately, she took refuge with her Little House on the Prairie on-screen father, Michael Landon’s family. Michael sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1991 and Melissa will always remember him for his kind gesture.

Melissa recently took time to reflect on her life and how she has lost loved ones to cancer. The actress remembered her late on-screen father Michael and her dear friend and late actor Patrick Swayze, who also died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Melissa Gilbert talks about losing close friends to pancreatic cancer

Melissa has been committed to a healthy lifestyle, but it seems the loss of Michael and Patrick has inspired her to create her own lifestyle brand, and she’s taking a bold step to make sure the public is aware of pancreatic cancer.

In a discussion with peopleThe 60-year-old claims pancreatic cancer “feels like a tornado” as it can go unnoticed and doesn’t give any “warning” signs. Having experienced two deaths as a result of the disease, and with the available scientific facts, Melissa claims that being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is a death sentence because “the survival rate is practically zero.”

Melissa Gilbert remembers Michael Landon and Patrick Swayze