TV Judge Frank Caprio Praises 'Immeasurable' Family Support After 'Crushing' Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis (Exclusive)

• Judge Frank Caprio was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2023
• The Caught in Providence star completed months of chemotherapy and radiation with the “phenomenal” support of his wife and five children
• He's become an advocate for raising cancer awareness and funds for research

For Frank Caprio, the progress made in his cancer journey can be attributed to his family’s constant support — including guidance from his late father.

After the beloved Rhode Island traffic judge, 87, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2023, he thought he had less than a year to live. It was a chilling reminder of how his father faced the same disease.

“When my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he was told he had eight months to live, and he died after eight months,” he tells PEOPLE. “So of course, as soon as I was diagnosed, I had this number in my head. I have eight months to live.” 

“The battle against pancreatic cancer is one that most people fear. Most people think it's a death sentence. It's a very lonely feeling,” he admits. “But I remember my father never gave up, even when he just about took his last breath. I know that it was a bleak prognosis, but I was taught by my dad to never, ever give up in any endeavor, regardless how difficult the circumstances may be.”

Caprio says witnessing his dad’s fight was “an immeasurable help” as he faces his own diagnosis head on. 

Sharing his excitement for Father's Day, Caprio says the support he’s received from his five children has been “phenomenal” during this difficult time. Trying to emulate the strong family values that his father established, he calls himself “very fortunate” to be able to rely heavily on his kids — even moving in with one of his sons during treatment.

Caprio has since undergone six months of chemotherapy and five treatments of radiation, admitting that although he received “excellent medical care,” the treatments had a “debilitating” effect on him for quite some time. 

He says he was able to recover so well following a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France with three of his sons and the Order of Malta, boasting that the city is known for its “miraculous healings and sightings of the Virgin Mary.”

“I know people may have different ideas about correlation between religion and healing, but I'm a firm believer and I think it helped me a great deal,” Caprio recalls. “I could almost feel a shock to my body — a feeling that just permeated my entire body that maybe I was being helped by a higher authority. That's an experience that I'll never forget.”

“There are different levels of survivorship. It's physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And I've been very fortunate to have help in all three of those,” he adds.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

But he “can’t overemphasize” how important his children have been to his recovery, he says, adding that they check on him daily and join him for doctor's appointments.  

“The most important thing my family has said to me is, ‘You never gave up on anything else in life and we know you're not going to give up on this. Whatever it is, we are there for you every step of the way.’”

“It just gives you strength,” he shares. “It gives you not only physical strength, it gives you emotional strength to handle those everyday challenges. When you're told that you are suffering from pancreatic cancer, it's crushing and you really need all the support you can get.” 

The judge — whose upcoming book “Compassion in The Courtroom,” is being distributed by Simon & Schuster in late 2024 — is now waiting to learn if the treatments were effective. In the meantime, he remains optimistic about his health.

“It's been an uphill battle,” he says. “I'm close to the finish line… at least I hope. And I still feel great. I feel good.” 

“We have always done everything as a family," Caprio's children tell PEOPLE. "This year, Father’s Day has a special significance. We are celebrating together, and grateful that our father I healthy, happy, and optimistic.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

As he continues to be transparent about his recovery, Caprio hopes to be a source of encouragement. He’s become an advocate for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to help others who have been diagnosed with the disease, and to let them know they’re not alone. 

Through the nonprofit, he has already helped raise over $16,000 for pancreatic cancer research and resources for patients. 

“The first time you're notified that you have cancer, obviously your mind rushes to the fact that I'm probably not going to live,” Caprio says. “I just hope that I can raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, and maybe help dispel the notion that it's a death sentence. Give people who are suffering hope.”

“I had no idea back then whether I was going to live or not,” he tells PEOPLE. “But I thought one way or the other, if I didn't make it, I showed that I had courage and I was fighting it with everything I had. And if I did — thank God it appears that I have — I could probably serve as a beacon of hope for others that are diagnosed as well.”