I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life," Patrick Swayze told the world during the Stand Up to Cancer telethon in September 2008. Sadly, it was a dream he would not see come true. Just six months before the telethon, the beloved star had announced he was fighting his own battle with pancreatic cancer. And a year later, on Sept. 14, 2009, he lost it, succumbing to the disease at the age of 57.

But he passed away on his own terms. Rather than stay in the hospital, he recently returned to his home in Los Angeles, which he shared with the love of his life, his wife of 34 years, Lisa Niemi. When he died, he had Lisa -- and other members of his family -- by his side.

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Photo Credit: Retna