Donations Pour In For 78-Year-Old Record Shop Owner Battling Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer—Coping With Medical Bills

What You Need to Know About Pancreatic Cancer

A GoFundMe set up for Vivian reads, “After a decade surviving two displacements with serious rent hikes (courtesy of [San Francisco] retrofit closures) and a pandemic, he still covers his living expenses selling 45s and LPs on the same block of Lower Haight. He surveys the street from his window and greets every passerby as he has done since 1987, the year he opened the shop at 448 Haight.

“In March 2025, after the progressive onset of debilitating symptoms, he was diagnosed with stage 3 Pancreatic cancer. He is fortunate enough to be receiving care at UCSF and, with help of a few friends and the largesse of his community, makes it through the days fighting his disease and staying on his feet.”

Vivian’s treatment plan consists of weekly chemotherapy infusions and possible surgery.

It’s important to understand that pancreatic cancer is often difficult to detect early because its symptoms are vague and nonspecific. By the time of diagnosis, the disease often has already spread to other parts of the body, where noticeable symptoms begin to appear.

Although his insurance helps cover his treatment costs, the creators of his GoFundMe page, explain, “Now, he needs some help. Dick is going to be entering a new period in which he needs much more help, more than even friends can individually provide.

“If he has ever touched your life… insulted your haircut in the funniest and most savagely sweet way possible… given you that most sublime moment of a record at the listening station… Put his personal mixtape in your hands that travelled four cities and six relationships with you through… Sold you (or given!) that record to unpack, fresh home from your commute — it could be the 22 bus to your apartment or it could be back in Melbourne after 24 hours of international travel… Please consider donating to the fund.”

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A post shared by Rooky Ricardo’s Records (@rooky_ricardos_records)

Pancreatic cancer is challenging to detect in its early stages because noticeable symptoms typically appear only once the disease has advanced.
Dr. Allyson Ocean, a medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center, explained that pancreatic tumors are challenging to target due to a stroma—a barrier surrounding cancer cells that limits the effectiveness of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

RELATED: Guide to Financial Planning After a Cancer Diagnosis: Planning Is So Important For Peace of Mind

Record producer Nick Waterhouse, one of the organizers of the fundraiser, also took to Instagram to spread the news of Vivian’s diagnosis and help raise more money for the cause.

He captioned his post, “In 1987, Dick Vivian opened Rooky’s at 448 Haight. I was one year old. As if by mandate, I was waiting eighteen years to enter those doors. Not only would it become a center of my world, it would give me one of my best friends in the whole world.

“Dick makes friends. You can ask anyone that knows him. I was lucky enough to begin as a friend and employee, and then unexpectedly, he became family too. He’s the only person I’ve ever known who has the ability to riff and ham as though his dialogue was written by a 1940’s Hollywood screenwriter, recall as if he was the musical librarian of Alexandria, and dance as if he was the fourth Famous Flame. His stories are legendary. His ability to bridge social strata is nonparalleled. In more ways than one, he IS music.”

He further explained, “Dick’s started chemotherapy and quite a few other treatments for co-morbities that have left him less of the dancer we all once knew. All this is to say, in spite of everything, he’s still going into the shop, for the moment.

“Rookys is him. He invested his life in the shop + The City, a city in which he is still a renter and the same guy I knew when I met him. As the man’s disdain / know-nothingness for tech will go with him into every possible spiritual plane, I now have permanent Rookys merch in my webstore for sale in which all sales go straight to him. @rooky_ricardos_records has PayPal for donations / store credit. Rookys lives, and viva la Viv.”

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A post shared by Nick Waterhouse (@nickwaterhouse)

Many supporters of Vivian commented with hope and kind words, with one writing, “No question, he’s the coolest cat around. Appreciate you sharing this.”

Another wrote, “Dick has been my biggest supporter since day 1, well before I deserved any credit for anything. Love the man – he’s the beating heart of what makes not only records stores but San Francisco such special places.”

“One of my all-time favorite folks, sending love,” commented a third.

Coping with a Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging forms of the disease—largely because it’s often diagnosed too late for curative treatment. Symptoms typically don’t appear until the cancer is already advanced, making early detection incredibly difficult.

“Around eighty percent of pancreatic cancer patients already have advanced disease by the time they’re diagnosed, severely limiting treatment options,” explains Dr. Anirban Maitra, Co-Leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Moon Shot at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“Just twenty percent of patients have their cancer caught early enough to make them a candidate for surgery, the only way pancreatic cancer can be cured.”

WATCH: What is a PARP Inhibitor?

For those with heightened risk, early testing offers a crucial window of opportunity. PubMed-published research highlights the role of genetic testing in identifying those with increased susceptibility. Individuals with a close family history of pancreatic cancer or an inherited genetic cancer syndrome fall into the high-risk category and should consult their doctors about screening options.

High-risk patients may benefit from advanced screening methods such as endoscopic ultrasound or MRI scans—tools that can detect abnormalities before symptoms arise.

According to the National Cancer Institute, pancreatic cancer risk factors fall into two broad categories: those we inherit and those we can influence. Key risk factors include:

• Family history
• Inherited genetic syndromes
• Tobacco use
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Chronic pancreatitis

Promising Progress in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: PARP Inhibitors Show Potential

Some patients battling advanced pancreatic cancer have found added hope, thanks to encouraging research around PARP inhibitors—a class of targeted drugs that prevent damaged cancer cells from repairing themselves. Proven initially effective in treating ovarian and breast cancers, PARP inhibitors are now showing promise for pancreatic cancer as well.

RELATED: How Do PARP Inhibitors Work for Pancreatic Cancer?

Researchers previously spotlighted olaparib (Lynparza), a PARP inhibitor that helped extend progression-free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer linked to BRCA gene mutations. This means patients lived longer without their disease worsening—a milestone that led to the drug’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We are making advancements in pancreatic cancer over the last five to ten years; however, the advancements have come out slowly,” said Dr. Allyson Ocean, Medical Oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.

“This is because, unfortunately, many drugs that have been tried when added to chemotherapy regimens just haven’t made a significant impact in improving survival for these patients.”

She added, “So we need to find more drugs that will show more efficacy with this disease.”

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, you may have questions but are unsure how to get the answers you need. SurvivorNet suggests asking your doctor the following to kickstart your journey to more solid answers.

• What type of pancreatic cancer do I have?
• Has my cancer spread beyond my pancreas?
• If so, where has it spread, and what is the stage of the disease?
• What is my prognosis?
• What are my treatment options?
• What side effects should I expect after undergoing treatment?
• Will insurance cover my recommended treatment?

Help with the Cost of Cancer Treatment

The GoFundMe set up for Dick Vivian has since raised at least $15,500. “Cancer treatment is incredibly expensive,” Laurie Ostacher, a Behavioral Health Clinician at Stanford Health Care, previously told SurvivorNet.

“How much coverage you have depends on your purchased insurance plan. Sometimes, when folks are younger, they might purchase a plan with a high deductible, assuming they won’t get ill. So, really, it’s helping them think about and kind of try and plan for the expenses that will be coming up. Your cancer center will often have a financial counselor to help you with that, who can sit down and go through the costs.”

WATCH: See how a social worker can help with cancer costs.

Financial toxicity is a term that has been coined to describe the problematic financial impact cancer treatment brings.

The consequences of cancer costs can extend beyond patients’ wallets. Some people feel they must cut their pills in half to extend their medications or not refill their medications for several weeks because they can’t afford it.

To begin your journey for financial assistance, start by talking to your doctor. Your cancer center can help address any concerns about the cost of your cancer drugs.

Ostacher also recommends exploring disability programs.

RELATED: Guide to Financial Planning After a Cancer Diagnosis 

“Most people are working when they’re diagnosed, and finances are a significant issue for them. So, for those who want to take some time off and can take time off, I will talk to them about the disability programs that exist,” she said.

“There’s the state disability program. Every state has a disability program. They vary from state to state. And then there’s also the federal disability program. So, I’ll help folks kind of sit down, look at their income, estimate how much money they will get, they will collect from disability, how to go about the application process,” Ostacher continued.

Other options may include taking part in paid clinical trials.

Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview that her primary role as a social worker is to advocate for patient needs in several different areas.

“It’s super important to see a social worker,” Stapleton said. “I think there’s a networking that they can assist you with, and they really have the strongest knowledge of the resources available to get you through the process … with social work, one of the primary roles is advocacy.

Clinical social worker Sarah Stapleton explains how she helps patients navigate treatment

“It’s meeting the patient and understanding the patient’s needs and understanding what it is you need in this very moment, whether that be financial resources, whether it be related to your insurance, transportation, or ultimately, the emotional process of getting through cancer treatment,” she added.

Dr. Nina Shah explains how some patients may be able to get help with cancer bills

Financial Resources to Consider During Cancer

If you have had trouble finding resources or answers about how to get help paying for cancer, there are a few routes you can consider. You can negotiate payment plans, seek out government assistance programs, or look to advocacy groups.

These are a few of the options cancer patients and their loved ones have to get help covering costs associated with treatment (from drug co-pays to travel assistance):

Covering Caregiver Costs

• Some states offer compensation to cancer caregivers. You can check with the Department of Health and Human Services for local resources.
• CancerCare offers free services to caregivers as well, and their oncology social workers may be able to connect struggling caregivers with mental health professionals, support groups, and other resources.

For Help With Treatment Bills

• The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition can direct patients and their families to available local services.
• Many treatment centers offer extended payment plans and some may offer temporary payment delays, according to the American Cancer Society.
• CancerCare, which connects patients with oncology social workers, may be able to assist with co-pays, transportation, and other costs associated with care.
• The HealthWell Foundation may be able to help uninsured patients pay for treatment.
• The American Cancer Society may be able to link patients and their families up with local resources (they offer a 24/7 helpline).
• The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) works with patients and their insurance companies to resolve issues and may provide direct financial support to some patients.
• The Patient Access Network Foundation may be able to help with out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer treatment.

For Help With Transportation and/or Housing

• There are several programs that may be able to assist patients if they need to travel by plane to get treatment, including Air Care Alliance, the Corporate Angel Network, and PALS (Patient Airlift Services).
• Patients with Medicaid may be entitled to help paying for transportation costs to and from treatment.
• The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program can hook patients and their families up with volunteer drivers.
• Mercy Medical Angels may be able to help patients and their families pay for transportation.
• The Healthcare Hospitality Network can assist with housing if a patient must be treated far from home.
• The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Program gives patients and their caregivers a free place to stay during treatment in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

For Help With Food

• Food assistance may be available to people going through cancer treatment and their caregivers. Look into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – aka SNAP – or a program like Meals on Wheels.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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