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Some lost the fight.
Additionally, her grandfather and great-grandfather died from the disease.
You might think cancer would be the last thing Barley would want to focus on each day.
But when her dad, Bob Williams, a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Barley saw in him an example of strength and courage she felt compelled to multiply.
In her eyes, he became a warrior.
And she had his back.
That was nearly three years ago.
Today, Williams, 66, somehow manages to beat his body's slow growing cancer cells and live life on his own terms.
"Pancreatic cancer normally is a death sentence . . . Unfortunately, it's one of the least funded," said Barley, 42, of York Township. "But . . . my dad is here almost three years later."
While Williams underwent chemo and radiation therapy, Barley told him to "think of yourself as a warrior . . . On the days you feel like you can't fight any longer, we'll pull you through."
"So he did keep fighting," she said. "He's in Hilton Head right now playing golf."
To embody her dad's spirit, Barley developed Cancer-Warrior -- an organization and clothing, accessories and jewelry line to raise awareness and money for cancer research.
"It's extended out to basically everybody that's touched by cancer," she said.
Barley created a warrior image for the line to reflect the fight against the disease.
"People have choices," she said. "You pick a path . . . make the best of it. I think it makes you stronger."
Whitney Morgan owns Collage Specialty Shop in Spring Garden Township where she sells Barley's designs. Proceeds go to Cancer-Warrior, Morgan said.
"People really like them," Morgan said. "(The line is) very stylish, too . . . very artistic and contemporary."
Julie Lichty of Manchester Township, Barley's business coach, said Barley's personal motivation will likely make Cancer-Warrior successful.
"It's so powerful," Lichty said. "She embraced that approach of being a warrior."
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For more, go to: www.cancer-warrior.org.
