Welcome to Our PanCAN PurpleStride Team Fundraising Page!

My family and I will be walking in this spring's Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's PurpleStride Walk in memory of my aunt and uncle, Maril and David.

David specialized in space biology for NASA and Maril was an award-winning photographer who focused on nature and still-life. They had the best laughs in the world and are missed every day. Those of you who didn't know them would have adored them both.

We lost David to the disease in 2004 and Maril just a few years later in 2009.  At the time of David's passing, the five-year survival rate was only 4%, and when Maril passed it had increased very slightly to 5%.

Because of increased funding and research since then, a patient diagnosed today has an estimated five-year survival rate of 13% - a huge leap for a cancer that is so difficult to diagnose early and has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers.  Researchers continue to discover important breakthroughs all the time, and these developments are due to money and attention devoted to improving outcomes for people living with this disease.

If you are interested and able to sponsor our walk, any contribution would be greatly appreciated and would be used to fund further research and patient supports.  We also love company and welcome anyone who might want to join our little team and take a stroll near Castle Island.  Finally, we are happily accepting good wishes and prayers for dry, warm walking weather. :)  

Thank you so much for your consideration, and much love to you all!

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Michelle, on behalf of Carol, Nicole and Sean

Event: PurpleStride 2026

When:  Saturday, April 25, 2025, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Where:  Carson Beach, 125 William J. Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02125