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Pat Conroy

Author Pat Conroy has pancreatic cancer

Jocelyn McClurg
USA TODAY
Author Pat Conroy in New York in 2013, promoting his  memoir 'The Death of Santini.'

Pat Conroy, 70, best-selling Southern author of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his publisher, Doubleday, announced on Monday.

In the statement, Doubleday said: “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.”

Conroy said on Facebook: “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 (S.C.) 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 intend to deliver it.  Much love, Pat Conroy.”

The novels The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini were both adapted into hit movies. Santini was based on Conroy’s difficult relationship with his abusive Marine father. In 2013, Conroy published a memoir about his real father, The Death of Santini. His other books include Beach Music and South of Broad.

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