Earlier today, Apple's very own Steve Jobs passed away at the age of 56 due to a rare form of pancreatic cancer. His death happens just a day after Apple announced the iPhone 4S.

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being", the company said. "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple".

According to the LA Times, Jobs was diagnosed in 2003 with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer, which produces islet cell or neuroendocrine tumors. This form is usually less aggressive than pancreatic exocrine cancer and patients can live longer, with the average survival rate more than three years. Some people with the neuroendocrine form can live as long as 20 years. He had a liver transplant in 2009 and took an extended medical leave from Apple last January. Several forms of treatment are available.

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One of the richest men on Earth. But what did he do with his money?

What if he would have donated some money to pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer research a decade or two ago?

Then, perhaps he wouldn't be dead today.