My beautiful husband and Ana's/Noah's dad passed away on March 6th, 2019, at age 52, one month after his second diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  We continue to miss him so much.  Franco was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008, but because it was caught early and he was able to have the Whipple procedure, we were blessed with 10 additional years with our beloved Franco.  My family is forever grateful for all of his doctors and the medical personnel for their gifts of healing and care.

After that first diagnosis, Franco believed he was here for another reason.   While working full time, he attended school at night for 8 years to earn his Master of Divinity, to pursue a career in ministry--to care for those in need.  He was able to begin that new career last year.  He spent an incredible amount of time providing comfort and offering hope to those affected by this terrible disease, raising awareness, and advocating for funding to find screening methods for earlier intervention and new treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients.  He was all about waging hope--including tattooing PANCAN's Wage Hope logo on his arm--as it was very front and center in his life.

Our family is here, together with all of you, to continue Franco's legacy to raise awareness and advocate for more funding and research to fight this terrible disease.Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all major cancers, at just 9%. This deadly disease has stolen our best and our brightest, but it can’t take away our determination. 

I’ve stepped up to Wage Hope at PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer. Will you help me rewrite the future of this disease by making a donation today?

Every dollar that you give ensures that the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network can continue working to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. By donating today, you are supporting vital efforts to double pancreatic cancer survival. 

Purple ribbons aren’t enough. Please join me in the fight today.