Lisa Niemi Swayze – writer, director, producer and professional dancer – is this year’s keynote speaker at the End-of-Life Symposium sponsored by the Macon State College School of Nursing & Health Sciences.

Niemi Swayze will discuss her experiences coping with the illness and death of her husband, actor Patrick Swayze, at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, in the banquet hall of Macon State’s Professional Sciences & Conference Center. Her talk, which is free and open to the public, is supported by a grant from the Hertwig Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. The presentation will include some time for audience questions.

Prior to her talk, from approximately 4 to 4:30 p.m., she will autograph copies of her latest book, which will be for sale on site.

Niemi Swayze’s talk is titled “Love, Loss, and Moving Forward.” It touches on some of the topics outlined in her book, “Worth Fighting For,” which chronicles her last months with her husband of 34 years as he bravely battled pancreatic cancer. The book is described as “an emotionally honest and unflinching depiction of battling illness and loss, but ultimately an incredible, life-affirming exploration of the power of the human spirit.”

In 2011, Niemi Swayze was an AARP Inspire Awards Recipient, which “salutes outstanding individuals who are using their energy, creativity, and passion to make the world a better place.” She is the national spokesperson for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and works diligently to raise awareness and better research funding for the deadly disease. She received the Spirit of Hope Award from both Tower Cancer Research Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Michael Bolton Charities.