Played Quark on “Star Trek Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”

When my wife, Kitty, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her oncologist said, “ Don’t go online and look up the survival rate for pancreatic cancer.”

He added, “Your wife is not a number - she is a person, and we will treat her as a person.”

Twenty years later, Kitty is a pancreatic survivor. And her family, her friends, and I feel enormously lucky.

But unfortunately, a significant majority are not born under Kitty’s lucky star. When Kitty was diagnosed, the survival rate was 3%; today it’s 14%, thanks largely to PanCAN’s work. When she was diagnosed, we were ignorant of PanCAN’s existence and of its ability to counsel and provide support. We now stir every case we hear of to PanCAN for emotional and medical assistance because not every health care provider is aware of what PanCAN has to offer. They provide knowledgeable and needed guidance to patients in the horrible early days of diagnosis.

 My goal in getting involved with PanCAN by starting Team Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer at Purple Stride Los Angeles is simple: I want to see the survival rate increase from where it is to 100%. No one should die of pancreatic cancer. No family should have to endure the loss of a loved one to this ghastly disease. 

 Research into one cancer helps in addressing others. But for research into early detection by doctors to make strides, PanCAN needs support — especially financial support — to bolster their continuing outreach programs to the medical profession. 

 In “Star Trek, ”there are devices called tricorders that scan the body and repair what’s been damaged. That’s a gadget I hope is in humanity’s future, but for now, our best bet is people who want to help. Good people who believe in hope, kindness, and a willingness to see cancer eliminated. I ask you to join us. Join Team Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer at PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles 2026, and let’s raise awareness and money for research to achieve a cancer-free world.