Wednesday March 12, 2008
Patrick Swayze at the opening night of "A Moon for the Misbegotten" after party in New York on April 9, 2007.
Stephen Lovekin/WireImage.com
Despite Patrick Swayze's devastating diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer, friends and family tell the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, that the actor and dancer is upbeat and ready to fight.
"I've never seen him scared of anything!" his sister-in-law Maria Haapaniemi tells Us. "He deals with everything the same way: He's determined, enthusiastic, full of energy and hope."
"We appreciate the love that's coming back to Patrick from all his fans," she added.
The 55-year-old star best known for 1987's Dirty Dancing and 1990's Ghost, has been married to dancer Lisa Niemi, 51, since 1975.
News of his diagnosis broke last week.
"He is what we would like America to be," his longtime acting coach Milton Katselas tells Us. "He is that wholesome, that alive – healthy, vigorous, honest."
"If anybody can beat the odds, it's Patrick," says Katselas. "He's going to end up inspiring us all."
For more on Swayze's health crisis and his life on and off screen, check out the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.
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