Honoring D’Angelo: A Call to Protect Our Health and Fight Cancer Early

D'Angelo

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved brother, D’Angelo on October 14th 2025 — the soulful R&B singer whose voice and artistry touched millions around the world. At only 51 years old, his untimely death due to pancreatic cancer reminds us how fragile life is and how important it is to take our health seriously. May God bless his family during this time of loss, and may his legacy live on through the music and light he shared with the world.

D’Angelo gave us songs that fed our souls, songs filled with love, pain, and truth — the kind that spoke to the human experience. As we celebrate his life, we must also reflect on what his passing teaches us: the urgency of being proactive about our health, especially when it comes to diseases like pancreatic cancer that often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas, an organ that plays a vital role in digestion and regulating blood sugar. The most common type is called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. One of the biggest challenges with this disease is that it rarely shows symptoms in its early stages. By the time it is detected, it may have already spread to other organs. However, when it is caught early, the chances of survival improve greatly.

Some of the warning signs include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, light or floating stools, itchy skin, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, back or abdominal pain, new-onset diabetes, and fatigue. While these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, it is important to never ignore them. If you experience these signs, speak to your healthcare provider and request appropriate screenings such as MRIs, ultrasounds, or blood tests.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, several factors can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. These include obesity, type 2 diabetes, a family history of the disease, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and advancing age — particularly after 60. Many of these risks are tied to our daily habits and lifestyle choices. The truth is, much of what we face health-wise can be prevented through conscious living and discipline.

Now is the time to take inventory of our habits. If we smoke, we must find the courage to stop. If we drink heavily, it’s time to cut back or eliminate alcohol altogether. If we are struggling with weight, we must commit to healthier eating and daily physical activity. Prevention starts before the diagnosis. Every small, consistent step we take toward better health gives us a stronger chance to fight back against illness.

There are foods known to help reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural defenses — garlic, berries, green leafy vegetables, and fresh fruits among them. A plant-based or vegetarian lifestyle can also improve digestion, boost energy, and support the immune system. Drinking more water and avoiding heavily processed foods are simple but powerful ways to show respect to our bodies.

Some may say, “I know people who drank and smoked all their lives and lived long,” but everyone’s body is different. Our genetics, stress levels, and environment all play a role in how disease affects us. Why take the risk when we can choose prevention? Every day is an opportunity to honor our bodies and make choices that sustain life instead of shorten it.

D’Angelo’s passing is a loss that echoes beyond music. It’s a reminder that life is precious, and our health is sacred. Let us use his memory as motivation to prioritize our well-being — not only for ourselves but for our families and communities. Let us schedule regular checkups, get screened when necessary, and live in a way that gives our bodies the best fighting chance.

The best time to start making healthier choices is now. Don’t wait for pain or diagnosis to awaken change. Life is a gift — and taking care of our health is one of the best ways to honor that gift.

References:

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Pancreatic Cancer.” Mayo Clinic, 2024. www.mayoclinic.org

• National Cancer Institute. “Pancreatic Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version.” NIH.gov

• American Cancer Society. “Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging.” Cancer.org