MariannE’s Melodies - Walking for Hope, Love, and a Cure

This April 25, 2026, our team - Marianne’s Melodies - will walk in Cleveland’s PanCAN PurpleStride to honor the memory of our beloved Marianne, who we lost after a short five-week battle with pancreatic cancer. Though her time with us was far too brief, her love, laughter, and strength continue to echo in our hearts - like a beautiful melody that never fades.

We walk for her.

We walk for every family who’s heard the words “pancreatic cancer.”

And we walk for a future where no one has to lose someone they love to this disease.

PurpleStride is more than a walk - it’s a day filled with community, courage, and hope. It’s a powerful reminder that every step we take, every dollar we raise, fuels research, spreads awareness, and provides free resources to those facing this devastating diagnosis.

Why this matters

Pancreatic Cancer remains one of the deadliest of all cancers: its current five-year survival rate for all stages combined is only about 13%. Even more sobering: for those diagnosed after it has spread (distant stage), the five-year rate falls to around 3%. 

Despite being only the 10th-most common cancer in the U.S., it is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths - and is projected to become the second in coming years. 

These statistics tell us: this fight is urgent.

What's being done - and how you can make a difference

Research and advocacy efforts are ramping up through organizations like Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), focusing on:

• Developing early-detection strategies so that pancreatic cancer can be found when surgical removal is still possible. 

• Pushing forward clinical trials and new therapies tailored to the biology of pancreatic tumors - because standard treatments haven’t moved the needle enough. 

• Driving funding and awareness so that this devastating disease finally gets the attention it demands.

• When you donate, you’re fueling research, supporting patients, and helping accelerate hope - for Marianne’s memory, and for every person touched by this disease.

Join Our Mission

We’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal because we know that together, we can make a real difference.

Whether you donate, walk with us, or simply share our story — every action helps bring us closer to a cure.

You can:

• Donate directly to our team to support the overall goal

• Select a team member to contribute toward their personal fundraising target (which also supports the team total!)

• Register to walk with us - it’s free to join! Everyone who raises or donates $100 or more will receive an official PanCAN PurpleStride T-shirt.

Every gift, no matter the size, brings hope to families who need it most.

Thank you for helping us honor Marianne’s memory and for standing with all those affected by pancreatic cancer. Your support means the world to us - and to every person who dreams of a brighter, cancer-free future.

Together, we stride for love. We stride for Marianne. We stride for hope.