Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swayze - Courtesy Patrick and Lisa Swayze
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 marked one year since Patrick Swayze's death following a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. For his wife of 34 years, Lisa Niemi, it's an anniversary that brings both sorrow and hope.
"In some ways I look at the anniversary and I think, 'It's either going to knock me down or it's going to make me stronger," Niemi says. "And I know I'm stronger now. The fact that I've had some good days definitely gives me hope that I can have more."
As a new spokeswoman for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Niemi is launching an awareness campaign on this anniversary of Swayze's death. "Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer: Know it. Fight it. End it" will feature videos and personal messages from Niemi.
PHOTOS: Patrick Swayze: A Talented Heartthrob Remembered
"It's a merciless disease," she says. "If Patrick being sick can help somebody else, it's the highest possible honor I could help him have."
At home on the ranch she shared with Swayze just north of Los Angeles, Niemi said she was considering her own personal ways of celebrating her husband's life. "I'm looking at doing some things like picking out the most beautiful tree ever," she says, "and planting it in an extraordinary spot."
Surrounded by the couple's animals – three dogs, two cats and seven horses – Niemi still feels close to Swayze, especially when she hears the wind chimes on their back porch.
"Sometimes there won't be any wind, so I like to think [it's Patrick]," she says. "I do sense his presence, and I like that. Just because he's gone now doesn't mean that love doesn't go on."
PHOTOS: Patrick & Lisa: A Love Story
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --
“Dancing with the Stars” made an emotional return to television on tonight for its eleventh season, featuring a performance from one celebrity and her professional partner that left one of the judges – and much of the audience – in tears.
Jennifer Grey, who delighted audiences more than two decades ago as “Baby” in “Dirty Dancing” opposite Patrick Swayze, was as charming, effervescent and elegant as she was back then as she hit the ballroom for the first time with partner Derek Hough.
The two performed an enchanting Viennese waltz choreographed by Derek (and set to “These Arms of Mine,” a song from the 1987 film), which in rehearsals created an intensely emotional moment for Jennifer.
“In one second, it really took me back almost like in a time capsule and I was with Patrick. I just miss him and I just realized how fast time goes,” she said in a clip, later telling Derek, “He was like you, young and gorgeous, and now he’s like gone.”
During competition, Jennifer kept it together, throwing her emotions into the magical number, which featured some of the late actor’s movie moves. The dance more than delighted the judging panel who gave Jennifer and Derek the highest score of the night – 24 out of 30.
”‘Baby’ is back where she belongs. I know someone up there is going to be very, very proud of you,” judge Bruno Tonioli said, referring to Patrick, who was a longtime celebrity supporter of “DWTS” before his death due to pancreatic cancer, one year and one week ago.
1 comment:
I really admire Jennifer Grey's tribute to Patrick Swayze. She's doing Dancing with the Stars for him, class.
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